For young salmon, a way to the sea

Coho salmon fry were released in a stream that flows into Mary Lake off Millstream Road on Wednesday and could start to make their way to the ocean by late May. (Salmon are considered to be at the smolt stage when they start to swim back to the ocean). Jacks — two-year-old males — could return as early as late October, while full-grown salmon could return in the fall of 2022, if they survive the outmigration, life in the ocean and return migration. The pre-smolt release is a joint project of the Goldstream Salmon Hatchery, Peninsula Streams Society, Tsartlip First Nation, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, and Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society.

PHOTOS BY ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST Bill Thomas with Goldstream Hatchery and the Peninsula Streams Society catches salmon fry for release into Mary Lake.

Braedan Donaldson with Goldstream Hatchery releases salmon fry into Mary Lake as part of a project with the Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society.