This year's warm winter quickened the development of salmon smolts at Noons Creek Hatchery and the fish are more than ready to be released into the creek.
"They're itching and raring to go," said Brian Wormald, president of the Port Moody Ecological Society, which runs the hatchery, located near PoMo rec centre.
Chum fry arrive at rebuilt Mossom Hatchery
This Saturday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., tots and adults alike can help the salmon on their way during the 24th annual Fingerling Festival. The event will include entertainment by children's entertainers Bobs and Lolo, displays from 60 groups at the recreation centre, games, arts and crafts, and, of course, the salmon release.
As many as 10,000 salmon smolts are circling the tanks in the hatchery, eager to be placed in the creek.
Noons Creek Hatchery is entering its 25th year of operation, one of two hatcheries in PoMo, and Wormald said his group has been pleased to be able to support the construction of Mossom Creek Hatchery after a 2013 fire.
This year, the group continues to help Mossom while it works on maintaining its own hatchery.
Wormald said it's important to host the Fingerling Festival each year to raise awareness of the importance of the salmon to the local environment.
"Our main mission and mantra for the Port Moody Ecological Society is education and we do a lot of that, a lot of school classes with a school program that we have, and we also do a lot of outreach," Wormald said, adding: "This is a huge opportunity to bring awareness to the locals about the importance of the environment."
The group will also be selling tulip bulbs at $5 a bag to raise funds for the organization.
THE DETAILS
Presenting sponsors of the event include the city of Port Moody, Pacific Coast Terminals and Port Metro Vancouver. To find out more visit the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PortMoodyEcologicalSociety.
AT HOY ON SUNDAY
Don't forget The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society in Coquitlam is hosting its annual Salmon Leave Home event on Sunday, May 3. The public is invited to join the society's volunteers from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. at the Hoy Creek Hatchery. There will be musical entertainment by Joyelle Brandt and the CKPM FM Morrey Nissan Community Cruiser will be on location. Hoy Creek Hatchery is located in Hoy Creek Linear Park, west of the City Centre Aquatic Complex at the corner of Pinetree and Guildford ways. To locate, use google.com and search "Hoy Creek Hatchery."
