Saturday, May 18, almost 1,000 people participated in the Salmon Release Festival at Chapman Creek Fish Hatchery. The event, of a scale to rival any in the area, drew participants from every walk of life, age and inclination to share in a celebration of nature and fun.
Children, from those in utero to those in their “maturing” years, deposited 18-month-old Coho salmon into Chapman Creek, three or four at a time, while marvelling in the experience of contributing to one of natures’ greatest and most unique life cycles.
A riveting celebration of dance and song performed by Alfonso (Sito) Salinas and youth from the shíshálh nation — joined by children in the crowd – kicked off the celebration.
The festival was done in collaboration with the neighbouring Sunshine Coast Rod and Gun Club, and included displays and hands-on opportunities that included archery, food, crafts, fly casting, butterflies, bees and stars. Most of the activities were free for all.
The pandemic heavily depleted volunteer capacity for this event but the society is once again seeing the community getting behind the hatchery as it had done in so many prior years.
Sunshine Coast Salmon Enhancement Society president Stephen Boale explained, “This event is essential in fulfilling our mandate of community engagement in preserving and enhancing salmon habitat on the Coast.”
Chapman Creek Hatchery is one of the largest community driven hatcheries in B.C., and has been vital in ensuring the success of salmon runs, not only in Chapman Creek, but runs in other B.C. rivers as well.
Faced with challenges of water flow restrictions during multi-year drought conditions, the society has endeavoured to enhance their ability to maintain operations in severe conditions by drilling wells that don’t draw from the Chapman Creek system, and by installing alternative power sources so incubation can be reliably maintained, even during prolonged power outages year round. Those efforts continue and are making the hatchery a focal point for the entire lower Sunshine Coast.
– Submitted by Chapman Creek Fish Hatchery
