Students Engage in Salmon Life Cycle at Cowichan Lake Hatchery

On December 9, 2023, students from Palsson Elementary in Lake Cowichan participated in a hands-on educational experience at the Cowichan Lake Salmonid Enhancement Society Hatchery. This annual event involves assisting with the egg and milt collection from salmon, providing a unique opportunity for children to learn about the vital role of salmon in their local ecosystem.

Bob Crandall, president of the Cowichan Lake Salmonid Enhancement Society, explained that the event begins with a call to the elementary school as the salmon mature. The students then follow the creek along the Friendship Trail to the hatchery. Here, they learn to distinguish between male and female salmon during the spawning phase. The females showcase a silver hue, while the males exhibit a vibrant red coloration, complete with distinctive hooked jaws and numerous teeth.

“It’s an engaging experience, and everyone gets splashed,” Crandall remarked, highlighting the fun aspect of the event. The collected fish are brought to the hatchery, where students assist in mixing the eggs and milt before transferring them into incubation trays. This hands-on involvement continues as the children will later receive the fertilized eggs back at their school for classroom incubation.

The hatchery serves approximately 27 schools in the Cowichan Valley, allowing students to raise the salmon until they hatch. Crandall noted, “They’ll feed the fish until it’s time to release them back into the wild.” This educational program aims to foster respect and awareness among young learners regarding salmon and their life cycle.

Once the milt and eggs are collected, the adult salmon are returned to their spawning grounds, allowing their bodies to decompose naturally. Crandall emphasized the ecological importance of this process, stating, “The nutrients from the fish’s bodies feed the flora and fauna in the water system.”

While the hatchery program engages around 100 elementary students each year, local high school students also contribute significantly. Crandall highlighted their involvement in planting additional habitats along the streams, noting, “They have been instrumental in the ongoing stream-side native species planting.”

To learn more about the Cowichan Lake Salmonid Enhancement Society and its initiatives, visit their official Facebook page. The hatchery not only supports the salmon population but also instills a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship among the youth in the community.