Hatchery tries to net helpers
After dodging a bullet in the Rangitata floods, the McKinnon’s Creek salmon hatchery wants more volunteers to help run its operation.
Hatchery trust chairman Phil de Joux said yesterday the hatchery was recovering well after the floods, but needs more volunteers.
Volunteers visited the facility at weekends to feed the salmon and check the water races.
Operated under the direction of Central South Island Fish and Game, the hatchery takes returning 3-year-old fish, fertilises and incubates the eggs from the fish, grows the fish out to 1-yearolds, then releases them back to the river to grow at sea for a further two to three years before the fish return to the hatchery to start the cycle again, de Joux said.
‘‘A large proportion of salmon caught in the lower stretches of the Rangitata are from the hatchery, and while returns have been poor in the last couple of years, indications are that things may improve and the hatchery can get back to producing fish to put back into the river.
‘‘More volunteers are needed to ensure the hatchery can operate over the next few years as the numbers of existing helpers are dwindling and there is real concern no new helpers are coming forward.
‘‘Perhaps people don’t know of the wonderful work the handful of volunteers at the hatchery are doing, trying to enhance the fishery and increase anglers’ chances of catching a wild salmon.
‘‘Volunteers are given training in the operation of a hatchery and taught all the principles of fisheries management.
‘‘The opportunity to learn about the life cycle of salmon are limited and the lessons learned by hands-on training could be invaluable to someone looking at a future in fisheries management.’’
Anyone interested is asked to contact de Joux on 0274-422-454 or Central South Island Fish and Game on (03) 615-8400 for more information.