IN RESPONSE to declining
salmon. stocks, the Capilano
Hatchery was built by what we

then the Federal Fisheries
Service in 1971 for $3 million.

By lan Noble
News reporter

Today, the public hatchery
releases 525,000 chinook, 600,000
coho and 15,000 steelhead annually.

It provides 4 public viewing and
information area to help locals and
tourists learn more this important
B.C. resource.

The Capilano River originates 32
kilometres upstream from the west
end of Burrard Inlet.

In 1954, the Cleveland Dam was
buill six kilometres from the ocean,
creating (a reservoir. to supply
Vancouver drinking water.

The dam meunt a loss of three-
quarters of the spawning and rearing
habitat used by.coho and sicelhead.

A fish ladder and trap was built,
but young salmon suffered ‘great
losses as they passed over the dam
on their way down to the ocean.

20 to 40,000: adults are

Stocks declined.

Then the hatchery was built.

The return of adults from the first
coho release exceeded all expecta-
tions and over the fast decade have
averaged about: 19,000 per year,

In addition to hatchery returns,
suught in
sport, native, and commercial fish-
cries.

Low water. conditions in the
Capilano River often impede large
chinook adults in their final
upstream migration to the hatchery
and the transplant of eggs has been
an on-going process.

Chum and pink salmon spawn in
lower reaches of the river and some-
times reach the hatchery.

In recent years a large portion of.

the juvenile chinook have been
transferred ta seapens in Burrard
tnlet and Indian Arm for an addi-
tional two to three weeks of seawa-
ter before release.

Over the years, eggs and [ry have
been transplanted into various North
Shore streams. ;

Capilano Coho have also been
used to help start up many cammer-
cial fish farms alung BC's coast.

the Sea
Hi

. We are proud t to ) support the
Coho Festival of the North Shore.

Visit Park Royal September 6-10,
for the following Coho Events:

Salmon Art:
“North Shore Schools Salmon Art will be
displayed on the North and South Malls

throughout the. week.

- Environmental Exhibitions:
Various Environmental Organizations
have put together a number of

informational displays to build public

awareness. The exhibits will be on both

the North and South Malls chroughout
the week.

‘Tag Day:
Sat., September 9th — All Day
North and South Malls
Story Telling:
Sat., September 9, 12 noon - 3:30 pm.
North Mall = Centre Court
Inside Sammy the Salmon!

See yo u there!

HEWS photo

In the ie of things

SALMON FROM the Capilano Fish Hatchery —likes the above specimens — have been used to
start and stock many of the commercial fish farms along the B.C. coastline. The public hatchery
releases 525, Ou0 chinook, 600, 000 coho and 15,000 steelhead annually.