ThereB次元官网网址檚 something about a hatchery environment that causes the fish raised for release into the wild to be a little less intelligent and less able to survive the stresses of the natural world, according to Jessy Bokvist, a University of Calgary masterB次元官网网址檚 student in ecology and evolutionary biology whoB次元官网网址檚 studying hatchery-raised fish at the Nitinat River Hatchery on Vancouver Island.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a finding that may have a long-term impact on how fish are raised in hatcheries, including those reared at the Jack Brooks Hatchery in Sooke.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been in touch with Rob (Robert Brouwer, manager of the Nitinat River Hatchery) and weB次元官网网址檙e aware of whatB次元官网网址檚 been going on there, but at present weB次元官网网址檙e not geared up for that sort of production in terms of cement raceways and such,B次元官网网址� said Bill Pedneault, hatchery manager at the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society facility.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not something weB次元官网网址檝e installed, but if it was worked into the facilities it might be worth it.B次元官网网址�

BokvistB次元官网网址檚 research has shown that the hatchery environment has led to the development of what she called B次元官网网址渘aive fishB次元官网网址� who may not know how to feed properly or possess the rudimentary survival skills needed in the wild.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to equip all the fish we release with appropriate life skills to improve their chance of survival when theyB次元官网网址檙e introduced into the wild,B次元官网网址� Bokvist said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 sort of like street-proofing your kids. Fish are actually very good learners and it doesnB次元官网网址檛 take much to give them a better chance when theyB次元官网网址檙e released.B次元官网网址�

At the Nitinat River Hatchery, Brouwer said there are three aspects of street proofing fish.

B次元官网网址淲e provide them with environmental enrichment, which can be as simple as introducing a current to the tanks or putting some branches into the tank so the fish have a place to hide from bullies and develop a sense of territory. We provide them with sensory stimulus B次元官网网址� a sort of life skills training that can involve giving them food from the bottom of the pond,B次元官网网址� Brouwer said.

B次元官网网址淲e also do some simple things like fish net scaring where we slap a net onto the top of the water to create a stressful environment that mimics natural predation.B次元官网网址�

Thirdly, the hatchery looks to the B次元官网网址渟oft releaseB次元官网网址� of its fish, utilizing lower density side channels or a sea pen that gives the young fish a chance to learn how to survive before they enter the harsh reality of the real world.

B次元官网网址淲hat we do is related to what we call neurological elasticity, getting them to use their brains more than they would in an impoverished environment in the traditional tanks. We want to stimulate them so they can learn to think down the road.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 an approach that Pedneault is open to exploring at the Sooke facility.

B次元官网网址淥h sure, absolutely,B次元官网网址� he said, adding he is watching what is happening elsewhere and is prepared to change practices if warranted.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e about giving [the fish] the best start that we can.B次元官网网址�

The Jack Brooks Hatchery has a licence to raise 500,000 springs and 150,000 coho fry every year. A free pen operation also raises upward of 80,000 chinook salmon annually.

mailto:tim.collins@sookenewsmirror.com
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