 In the wild, salmon survival is lowest from the egg stage to the fry stage. By rearing them in a safe environment, we are giving the salmon a "leg-up" over wild salmon. Once they reach the fry stage, they have a greater chance of surviving in the creek, and going out to the ocean. |
 We supplement the eggs we collect from our own brood-stock with eggs from a hatchery. The Seymour River hatchery has always been very cooperative by supplying us with eggs. Since they are in the next watershed to the east of us, it works out very well. Here, Mark, Greg and Hugh are counting eggs for transport from the Seymour to Morten Creek. |
We usually get about 20,000 eggs annually from them, so every volunteer is asked to pitch in. |
Back at the Morten Creek hatchery, the adults we are holding need to be checked regularly, so that we can spawn them at the right time. |
When the males are ready, the milt is collected in a clean, plastic container. It is imperative that the container, and all other handling material is very clean and dry. |
Once a female is identitfied as "ripe", ready to spawn, volunteers are called out to pitch in. Time is of the essence once the procedure begins, and everyone has a job. |
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