The Oldfield Creek Hatchery in Prince Rupert is currently under construction and getting a much needed facelift. The hatchery is operated by the Prince Rupert Salmonid Enhancement Society and funded annually by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
In October of 2006 volunteers started the process of renovating the facility and adding much needed equipment. The society has only a handful of volunteers, but society president Leo Lohnes was able to recruit some helpers who put in much time and revamped the water system. Hatchery manager Stephen Leask was also able to bring Northwest Community College students with him when he took over as manager. Today the hatchery has drastically improved and is only a couple months away from completion.
"What we need more than anything else at the moment are dependable volunteers" says Leask. "We have to keep seeking new volunteers, but praise the ones that helped get us to where we are today".
The society enhances Kloiya River (Chinook), as well as Diana and Oldfield Creek (Coho). The eggs and milt are taken (Broodstock) each fall and spawned at the Oldfield Hatchery where the incubate for 6 months before being ponded outside in rearing tanks for 1.5 years before being released back to their natal streams. "Last year we had an 84.5% survival rate from egg to fry, that's significantly higher than natural rates in the wild" Leask adds.
Overall the hatchery is once again becoming a community involvement project. The society would like to send a special thanks to the McDonalds breakfast crew, Don Cross, Donna Morse-Smith and the students who have all contributed so much time and effort. If you would like to know more or volunteer contact Stephen Leask at oldfieldhatcherygmail.com or call 624-6733.