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April 25, 2025: Macroinvertebrate Study
April 25, 2025: Macroinvertebrate Study
The crew chief from Pacific Streamkeepers gives the volunteers an introduction to the procedure. (L to R): Kelly, Jean, ZoAnn, Ron, Doug, John and Dale.
The crew chief from Pacific Streamkeepers gives the volunteers an introduction to the procedure. (L to R): Kelly, Jean, ZoAnn, Ron, Doug, John and Dale.
Ron and Jean watch ZoAnn counting and recording the number of mayfly larvae.
Ron and Jean watch ZoAnn counting and recording the number of mayfly larvae.
Among the insects that live in water as juveniles (nymphs) the most important are the Mayflies (Order: Ephemeroptera), Stoneflies (Order: Plecoptera), and Caddisflies (Order: Trichoptera). This is because they are the best indicators of water quality. In ecological monitoring, they are referred to as the EPT macroinvertebrates.
Among the insects that live in water as juveniles (nymphs) the most important are the Mayflies (Order: Ephemeroptera), Stoneflies (Order: Plecoptera), and Caddisflies (Order: Trichoptera). This is because they are the best indicators of water quality. In ecological monitoring, they are referred to as the EPT macroinvertebrates.
In all, the survey found 33 mayfly larvae of which there were 5 kinds (taxa), and 27 stonefly larvae consisting of 3 taxa. No Caddisfly larvae were found.
In all, the survey found 33 mayfly larvae of which there were 5 kinds (taxa), and 27 stonefly larvae consisting of 3 taxa. No Caddisfly larvae were found.
The results of the survey will be published later.
The results of the survey will be published later.
March 24, 2025: Ponding the Fry
March 24, 2025: Ponding the Fry
Transferring coho fry from an incubator to a large tank of water is called "ponding." The fry being moved came from eggs donated by the Chilliwack River hatchery, as featured in our news item of last December 17th.
Transferring coho fry from an incubator to a large tank of water is called "ponding." The fry being moved came from eggs donated by the Chilliwack River hatchery, as featured in our news item of last December 17th.
The tank, called a "Cap trough," was fabricated of aluminum by residents of Oakalla prison years ago. It holds about 1100 litres of fresh water. Here, Tysan is using a digital meter to measure its temperature and oxygen level.
The tank, called a "Cap trough," was fabricated of aluminum by residents of Oakalla prison years ago. It holds about 1100 litres of fresh water. Here, Tysan is using a digital meter to measure its temperature and oxygen level.
The meter indicates the oxygen level of the water is about 98%, which is good. The fry obviously will have much more room to swim in the fresh, natural water flowing continuously through the trough.
The meter indicates the oxygen level of the water is about 98%, which is good. The fry obviously will have much more room to swim in the fresh, natural water flowing continuously through the trough.
During feeding, fry sometimes leap out of the water. In the past, a few have escaped through the slightest opening. Dale is inflating a bladder similar to a bicycle tire tube that will seal the gap around the screen where the water drains out of the trough.
During feeding, fry sometimes leap out of the water. In the past, a few have escaped through the slightest opening. Dale is inflating a bladder similar to a bicycle tire tube that will seal the gap around the screen where the water drains out of the trough.
After the trough is cleaned and ready, Bruce and Tysan bring one of the heath trays from the incubator. The tray will be carefully set underwater at the bottom of the trough to minimize shock to the fry.
After the trough is cleaned and ready, Bruce and Tysan bring one of the heath trays from the incubator. The tray will be carefully set underwater at the bottom of the trough to minimize shock to the fry.
In all, about 16,000 fry from four trays were transferred. The next big event for these fry will be to have their adipose fins clipped some time in May. They will then be moved down to the pond where they will live for a year.
In all, about 16,000 fry from four trays were transferred. The next big event for these fry will be to have their adipose fins clipped some time in May. They will then be moved down to the pond where they will live for a year.
The water source is a pond in Ravine Park fed by natural springs. For use in the hatchery, the water is pumped up from the pond and oxygenated as it falls through wide sections of pipe on its way to the tank and incubator.
The water source is a pond in Ravine Park fed by natural springs. For use in the hatchery, the water is pumped up from the pond and oxygenated as it falls through wide sections of pipe on its way to the tank and incubator.
The automated fish feeder sits on the lid of the trough. A clock-like, spring loaded mechanism rotates a movable belt slowly and continuously for 12 hours. Fish food placed on the belt falls down through the screen into the water.
The automated fish feeder sits on the lid of the trough. A clock-like, spring loaded mechanism rotates a movable belt slowly and continuously for 12 hours. Fish food placed on the belt falls down through the screen into the water.
After the ponding operation, Bruce and Timber walked down into the ravine to feed the coho that have been living in the pond since last May. They're becoming smolt, and some time this spring, before they've lost their parr marks, they'll be transported to Stoney and Clayburn creeks to make way for the fry now in the Cap troughs.
After the ponding operation, Bruce and Timber walked down into the ravine to feed the coho that have been living in the pond since last May. They're becoming smolt, and some time this spring, before they've lost their parr marks, they'll be transported to Stoney and Clayburn creeks to make way for the fry now in the Cap troughs.
February 24, 2025: Salmon Dissection Workshop
February 24, 2025: Salmon Dissection Workshop
Sherissa from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (the "DFO") held a dissection workshop at the hatchery for the teachers from Abbotsford and Mission involved in the Salmonids in the Classroom program. The teachers were given frozen coho salmon to take back to their classrooms to dissect with their students.
Sherissa from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (the "DFO") held a dissection workshop at the hatchery for the teachers from Abbotsford and Mission involved in the Salmonids in the Classroom program. The teachers were given frozen coho salmon to take back to their classrooms to dissect with their students.
Thanks to Brenda from the Abbotsford School District and an ARPSES director for the excellent photos which show the various parts of the salmon anatomy.
Thanks to Brenda from the Abbotsford School District and an ARPSES director for the excellent photos which show the various parts of the salmon anatomy.
Showing how water passes through the gills
Showing how water passes through the gills
Each gill has four arches, each with a row of gill rakers.
Each gill has four arches, each with a row of gill rakers.
Removing the eggs enclosed in membranes
Removing the eggs enclosed in membranes
There are usually between 2500 and 3000 eggs per salmon, held in two sacs.
There are usually between 2500 and 3000 eggs per salmon, held in two sacs.
Taking out the digestive system: esophagus, stomach and intestines
Taking out the digestive system: esophagus, stomach and intestines
Attempting to inflate the swim bladder
Attempting to inflate the swim bladder
The inflated swim bladder
The inflated swim bladder
The heart is found up between the gills.
The heart is found up between the gills.
Slicing through the hard skull to find the brain
Slicing through the hard skull to find the brain
The small cavity holding the brain
The small cavity holding the brain
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