Ukee Salmon Ladder Derby
Member
The Ucluelet Salmon Enhancement Society was formed early this spring to help out this little hatchery on the West Coast.
Thornton Creek Hatchery has been in operation since 1976. This spring they released over 300, 000 chinook into Ucluelet Harbour via Thornton Creek and another 200, 000 into the Toquart river system in Barkley Sound. They've also raised and released Coho into the Kennedy River system, up to 100, 000 fry per release.
With the shockingly low numbers of returning salmon counted last fall, some species of salmon seemed doomed for local extinction. With limited funds from the fisheries, and relying so heavily on donations and volunteers, it's been a challenge for local fisheries like Thornton Creek to enhance the systems along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The Ucluelet Salmon Enhancement Society has organized the first annual Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby. It's a summer long derby with big cash prizes and a lot of hype...with all proceeds going to Thornton Creek Hatchery.
Organizers said that through sponsorships, ticket sales, and donations the hatchery could see a cheque for over $10, 000...maybe even $20, 000.
With those funds Thornton Creek Hatchery plans on enhancing the Bedwell river system in Clayoquot Sound near Tofino. They will be sending divers to the Bedwell this fall.
For more information please visit www.uclueletsalmonladderderby.com/thornton-creek-project.html
Amy Hancock
Ucluelet Salmon Enhancement Society
Thornton Creek Hatchery has been in operation since 1976. This spring they released over 300, 000 chinook into Ucluelet Harbour via Thornton Creek and another 200, 000 into the Toquart river system in Barkley Sound. They've also raised and released Coho into the Kennedy River system, up to 100, 000 fry per release.
With the shockingly low numbers of returning salmon counted last fall, some species of salmon seemed doomed for local extinction. With limited funds from the fisheries, and relying so heavily on donations and volunteers, it's been a challenge for local fisheries like Thornton Creek to enhance the systems along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The Ucluelet Salmon Enhancement Society has organized the first annual Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby. It's a summer long derby with big cash prizes and a lot of hype...with all proceeds going to Thornton Creek Hatchery.
Organizers said that through sponsorships, ticket sales, and donations the hatchery could see a cheque for over $10, 000...maybe even $20, 000.
With those funds Thornton Creek Hatchery plans on enhancing the Bedwell river system in Clayoquot Sound near Tofino. They will be sending divers to the Bedwell this fall.
For more information please visit www.uclueletsalmonladderderby.com/thornton-creek-project.html
Amy Hancock
Ucluelet Salmon Enhancement Society
