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June 4, 2025: The Annual Fin Clipping Event
June 4, 2025: The Annual Fin Clipping Event
On June 4th and 5th, 22 Volunteers and 3 DFO personnel clipped the adipose fins of 11,370 coho fry presently residing in cap troughs at the hatchery. The support we received from the City of Abbotsford, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Abbotsford/Mission Nature Club and ARPSES volunteers made this all possible.
On June 4th and 5th, 22 Volunteers and 3 DFO personnel clipped the adipose fins of 11,370 coho fry presently residing in cap troughs at the hatchery. The support we received from the City of Abbotsford, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Abbotsford/Mission Nature Club and ARPSES volunteers made this all possible.
These fry will remain in the cap troughs to be fed and cared for daily for a few more weeks. They will then be transferred to our pond in Ravine Park where they will be nurtured until they are released into local streams as smolts next May.
These fry will remain in the cap troughs to be fed and cared for daily for a few more weeks. They will then be transferred to our pond in Ravine Park where they will be nurtured until they are released into local streams as smolts next May.
The clipping table, which is new this year, allows for up to 10 people to be involved. All the equipment, including these specialized scissors, is supplied by the DFO and is used at all the other volunteer hatcheries in the Lower Mainland.
The clipping table, which is new this year, allows for up to 10 people to be involved. All the equipment, including these specialized scissors, is supplied by the DFO and is used at all the other volunteer hatcheries in the Lower Mainland.
This is what goes on at a clipping station. The previously anesthetized fry are processed with special scissors (notice the collection of tiny fins), then placed in the water moving down that narrow trough. The water flushes them to the bottom end of the table.
This is what goes on at a clipping station. The previously anesthetized fry are processed with special scissors (notice the collection of tiny fins), then placed in the water moving down that narrow trough. The water flushes them to the bottom end of the table.
Arlene is stationed at the bottom end of the table, clicking the hand counter each time a clipped fish goes by on its way into that white pipe which will carry it back to the Cap trough.
Arlene is stationed at the bottom end of the table, clicking the hand counter each time a clipped fish goes by on its way into that white pipe which will carry it back to the Cap trough.
May 15, 2025: The Annual Smolt Release
May 15, 2025: The Annual Smolt Release
Helping with the operation were several ARPSES volunteers and, for the first time, a welcome crew from the City staff. Here they are, all lined up beside Clayburn Creek in front of the tank truck.
Helping with the operation were several ARPSES volunteers and, for the first time, a welcome crew from the City staff. Here they are, all lined up beside Clayburn Creek in front of the tank truck.
The operation begins with Paul lugging the seine net down to the rearing pond in the ravine below the hatchery.
The operation begins with Paul lugging the seine net down to the rearing pond in the ravine below the hatchery.
Tristan, Bruce, Chris and Jasmyn spread the net out. As you can see, the cold water is almost waist deep.
Tristan, Bruce, Chris and Jasmyn spread the net out. As you can see, the cold water is almost waist deep.
John is removing vegetation trapped in the net when it is dragged along the bottom of the pond.
John is removing vegetation trapped in the net when it is dragged along the bottom of the pond.
Jasmyn has to pull hard to move the 15-metre-long, 1.5-metre-wide net.
Jasmyn has to pull hard to move the 15-metre-long, 1.5-metre-wide net.
Paul, as community representative of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, supervised the operation.
Paul, as community representative of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, supervised the operation.
The smolts, which have been living in the pond for a year, are gradually rounded up for transfer to the tank truck.
The smolts, which have been living in the pond for a year, are gradually rounded up for transfer to the tank truck.
Paul was very happy with the condition of the fish: "a very healthy length-to-weight ratio, great fin condition, color and rigor." Between the ponding of the fry last year and the smolt stage this week, the survival rate was around 93%. This was likely due to the large nets used to keep predators out of the rearing pond. The number of smolts was much larger than usual—too many for one tank load, so some had to be held back for a second trip.
Paul was very happy with the condition of the fish: "a very healthy length-to-weight ratio, great fin condition, color and rigor." Between the ponding of the fry last year and the smolt stage this week, the survival rate was around 93%. This was likely due to the large nets used to keep predators out of the rearing pond. The number of smolts was much larger than usual—too many for one tank load, so some had to be held back for a second trip.
Tysan and Jasmyn with Rob, who is holding a dip net load of smolts.
Tysan and Jasmyn with Rob, who is holding a dip net load of smolts.
One of several netloads is relayed quickly to the nearby tank truck.
One of several netloads is relayed quickly to the nearby tank truck.
On the way to Stoney Creek, the first destination (five kilometres away), the crowding in the tank stressed the smolts and it was evident that they had to be released as soon as possible. Moving by hand using dip nets would have been too slow, so they were transferred using the pipe method.
On the way to Stoney Creek, the first destination (five kilometres away), the crowding in the tank stressed the smolts and it was evident that they had to be released as soon as possible. Moving by hand using dip nets would have been too slow, so they were transferred using the pipe method.
The water level in Stoney Creek, a tributary of Clayburn Creek, was low, but there had been some rain the previous night and there was enough water depth to release all 12,800 smolts into the pond beside Bateman Road. Later, the second tank load of 3000 smolts was delivered to nearby Clayburn Creek. They went into the sediment trap pond on the west side of the Wright Street, across from the village church.
The water level in Stoney Creek, a tributary of Clayburn Creek, was low, but there had been some rain the previous night and there was enough water depth to release all 12,800 smolts into the pond beside Bateman Road. Later, the second tank load of 3000 smolts was delivered to nearby Clayburn Creek. They went into the sediment trap pond on the west side of the Wright Street, across from the village church.
John holds the pipe as the smolts shoot down from the tank truck into Clayburn Creek.
John holds the pipe as the smolts shoot down from the tank truck into Clayburn Creek.
These smolts were born in the hatchery in the winter of 2023/24, confined for a year in the ravine pond, and now free to head for the open ocean. What a change!
These smolts were born in the hatchery in the winter of 2023/24, confined for a year in the ravine pond, and now free to head for the open ocean. What a change!
The following day, ARPSES president Dale Taylor had a look for the smolts in the Stoney Creek pond and didn’t see any. This means they were already on their way downstream to the Fraser River which will take them to the Salish Sea. Two years from now, the survivors (maybe 3%) will be returning to spawn in our creeks.
The following day, ARPSES president Dale Taylor had a look for the smolts in the Stoney Creek pond and didn’t see any. This means they were already on their way downstream to the Fraser River which will take them to the Salish Sea. Two years from now, the survivors (maybe 3%) will be returning to spawn in our creeks.
May 2, 2025: Hatchery Enhancements
May 2, 2025: Hatchery Enhancements
To enhance the hatchery facilities, Rudy and Hank from the Abbotsford Mission Nature Club, with committee approval, designed an entrance portico intended to feature First Nations artwork. The concept was readily accepted by the City Parks Department.
To enhance the hatchery facilities, Rudy and Hank from the Abbotsford Mission Nature Club, with committee approval, designed an entrance portico intended to feature First Nations artwork. The concept was readily accepted by the City Parks Department.
The components of the portico were then milled from a cedar log in Rudy’s workshop in Yarrow, while the hardware and other materials were funded by a $200 gift certificate from RONA Building Supplies. Once the foundation was in place, a crew of club volunteers completed the structure in one day.
The components of the portico were then milled from a cedar log in Rudy’s workshop in Yarrow, while the hardware and other materials were funded by a $200 gift certificate from RONA Building Supplies. Once the foundation was in place, a crew of club volunteers completed the structure in one day.
The Club also donated new chairs and tables, making the meeting room more attractive for hosting activities. The old chairs were taken apart and recycled.
The Club also donated new chairs and tables, making the meeting room more attractive for hosting activities. The old chairs were taken apart and recycled.
After the new portico was in place, ARPSES president Dale Taylor asked his long-time friend, Don Froese of the Seabird Island Band, to provide the artwork.
After the new portico was in place, ARPSES president Dale Taylor asked his long-time friend, Don Froese of the Seabird Island Band, to provide the artwork.
Don has also involved students from Godson, Sumas, and Dormick Park elementary schools in carving projects. He has also installed artwork in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
Don has also involved students from Godson, Sumas, and Dormick Park elementary schools in carving projects. He has also installed artwork in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
The artwork is typical Coast Salish. It is painted on a yellow cedar plank cut from a tree near Boston Bar. Traditionally, the paint was made from Devil’s club and natural iron oxide mixed with bear grease. However, these images are rendered in acrylic paint. The salmon and the eagle are depicted in a symmetrical design, facing each other. In this way, they represent the balance between two powerful forces that sustain life in the great cycle of natural existence.
The artwork is typical Coast Salish. It is painted on a yellow cedar plank cut from a tree near Boston Bar. Traditionally, the paint was made from Devil’s club and natural iron oxide mixed with bear grease. However, these images are rendered in acrylic paint. The salmon and the eagle are depicted in a symmetrical design, facing each other. In this way, they represent the balance between two powerful forces that sustain life in the great cycle of natural existence.
The "crew chief" from the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation gives the volunteers an introduction to the procedure. (L to R): Kelly, Jean, ZoAnn, Ron, Doug, John and Dale.
The "crew chief" from the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation 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 nymphs.
Ron and Jean watch ZoAnn counting and recording the number of mayfly nymphs.
Among juvenile insects that live in water, the most important are these three: 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 juvenile insects that live in water, the most important are these three: 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.
The survey followed the instructions in Pacific Streamkeepers module four. Insects were collected amongst the pebbles in a one square foot area of creek bed. The mayfly was found to be the predominant taxa (species). Here is a summary of the results:
The survey followed the instructions in Pacific Streamkeepers module four. Insects were collected amongst the pebbles in a one square foot area of creek bed. The mayfly was found to be the predominant taxa (species). Here is a summary of the results:
Category 1 (pollution Intolerant EPT insects):
Category 1 (pollution Intolerant EPT insects):
a) 5 taxa of mayfly (33 in all),
a) 5 taxa of mayfly (33 in all),
b) 3 taxa of stonefly (27 in all),
b) 3 taxa of stonefly (27 in all),
c) 0 caddisflies.
c) 0 caddisflies.
Category 2 (somewhat pollution tolerant):
Category 2 (somewhat pollution tolerant):
a) 0
a) 0
Category 3 (pollution tolerant):
Category 3 (pollution tolerant):
a) 1 taxa of aquatic worm (2 in all).
a) 1 taxa of aquatic worm (2 in all).
Water quality assessments:
Water quality assessments:
a) Pollution tolerant Index = poor
a) Pollution tolerant Index = poor
b) EPT index (total number of taxa) = acceptable
b) EPT index (total number of taxa) = acceptable
c) EPT to total Ratio = good
c) EPT to total Ratio = good
Diversity: (ratio of predominant to total taxa) = acceptable.
Diversity: (ratio of predominant to total taxa) = acceptable.
The over-all site assessment = marginal/acceptable.
The over-all site assessment = marginal/acceptable.
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A big thank you to ZoAnn from the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation for supporting our efforts to monitor the health of Stoney Creek.
A big thank you to ZoAnn from the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation for supporting our efforts to monitor the health of Stoney Creek.
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