Salmon in streams around Nanaimo River Hatchery are abundant during return season. (Nanaimo River Hatchery)

By Ian Holmes

annual fundraiser

‘It’s a great time to come by the hatchery:’ annual fundraiser bolsters Nanaimo River salmon

Nov 3, 2024 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — Mature salmon making a splash during their end of life journey is an annual spectacle on full display throughout the region, including streams near Nanaimo River Hatchery.

The non-profit hatchery’s annual Spawning Day Fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 3 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. illuminates the miraculous life cycle of Pacific salmon.

Hatchery manager Brian Banks said a full day of family-friendly activities will highlight the value restoration work has toward sustaining salmon populations.

“We spawn the salmon and try to help out with their initial survival to get them through these floods and droughts that salmon are seeing these days. We’re definitely an important part of their growth.”

Demonstrations of how eggs are taken, the ability to release Coho fry into the wild and watching Chum salmon return to spawn in the waters of Napoleon Creek side-channel behind Nanaimo River Hatchery.

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Around 40,000 Chum Salmon are expected to return to Nanaimo River spawning grounds this season, while in the range of 100,000 mature salmon should return, Banks noted.

“The Chum are the most visible of the returning salmon, it’s best to see around the hatchery here, end of October into November. You’ll also see some Coho coming back, they’ll be around the hatchery up until December. It’s a great time to come by the hatchery and a have a look.”

Admission to the hatchery’s Spawning Day Fundraiser is by donation, with Banks stating numerous prizes will be available to be won.

Banks said this fundraiser is important to raising necessary funds to support Nanaimo River Hatchery activities, which he said require ongoing monetary assistance from the public.

He expanded on the value of having young people get an up-close look at how the actions of humans directly impacts the health of Pacific salmon.

“It’s great to have families out and show kids what we do and let them know the importance of the generation looking after this special species.”

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes