A mature salmon lives out its final days in Napoleon Creek behind the Nanaimo River Hatchery (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

salmon fundraiser

‘It’s a great spot to come see the Chum:’ Nanaimo River Hatchery hosts fundraiser

Nov 5, 2022 | 10:32 AM

NANAIMO — You can see mature Salmon make their return to a Nanaimo River side channel, while providing much needed donations to a valued non-profit organization.

Nanaimo River Hatchery hosts its Spawning Day Fundraiser on Sunday Nov. 6 from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. at 2775 Rugby Rd. located behind the Cassidy Rest Stop.

Hatchery manager Brian Banks said attendees to the admission by donation event will be able to see the delayed return of thousands of mature Chum salmon.

“The rain has hit and the Chum have been returning, it’s a great spot to come see the Chum, you don’t have to go to the Goldstream (River) or anywhere, there’s a lot of Salmon spawning right behind the hatchery here.”

Chum Salmon have been returning in droves recently, with significant volumes of the fish appearing recently in nearby Napoleon Creek behind Nanaimo River Hatchery.

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Banks said their family-friendly Spawning Day Fundraiser is a great educational opportunity.

“You’ll be able to see what we do here at the hatchery, how we spawn the fish, take eggs, you’ll be able to see a dissection of Salmon. Come down and see the Chum spawning in the creek behind the hatchery.”

A used fishing gear garage sale will be held at the event, where Banks said high quality donations will be great fits for anglers.

“You’ll want to come early for that for the best selection,” he said.

The Spawning Day Fundraiser is especially important with climate change impacts like droughts and floods constantly stressing the Nanaimo River ecoysystem, Banks said.

“We’re able to fund extra activities, education for the kids, also unforeseen costs that we need to take care of in order to produce and keep the river healthy.”

Banks said about 100,000 salmon return to spawn in Nanaimo River annually, while the hatchery produces about 2.5 million salmon each year.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes