Thirty-five years ago, in 1977 a group of enthusiastic community members formed the Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society (SCSES).
Twenty-five years ago, in 1987, the Society was incorporated. This gave SCSES legal standing that allowed it to raise funds and issue tax receipts as a charitable non-profit corporation, and to undertake major projects such as the Chapman Creek Fish Hatchery. The SCSES will be celebrating these anniversaries at its 15th annual fundraising dinner and auction, Saturday, March 24, at the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre.
In 1992, the society purchased the hatchery after a successful fundraising campaign that was generously supported by donations from individuals and businesses and by the Sechelt Indian Band. The purchase of the hatchery changed the work of the SCSES in fundamental ways.
With tens of thousands of eggs to incubate, hatch and raise to releasable size, the SCSES came to rely heavily on a dedicated, hardworking and loyal group of volunteers.
"A commercial or government operated hatchery of the same size as Chapman Creek would probably have four to six employed staff members," said SCSES president Michael Snook. "Our community-based hatchery has two. SCSES relies on its volunteers to pick up much of the day-to-day work, from feeding fish to cleaning tanks, from maintaining the hatchery grounds to helping release salmon into our coastal waters.
"We couldn't run the hatchery without our volunteers. The numbers vary from year to year, but we often release a million salmon or more, and we do it economically - one thin dime equals one fat salmon."
The upcoming fundraising dinner and auction will help raise operating funds for the society and the hatchery. Tickets are now on sale and going fast. They can be purchased at the hatchery at 4381 Parkway Dr., just off Field Road, by phone at 604-885-4136, or by email at [email protected].
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