The Prince Rupert Salmonid Enhancement Society is asking community members to roll up their sleeves and get a little wet to assist with the release of thousands of salmon smolt into Oldfield Creek later this month.
The 7th Annual Smolt Fest is set to take place at the Oldfield Creek Fish Hatchery on Saturday, May 23, with the event returning after its absences last year after an emergency release of fry was needed in the fall of 2013.
“We are back and hope to have a great turnout this year,” said Shirene Ree-Hembling, president of the Prince Rupert Salmonid Enhancement Society.
“The society organizes Smolt Fest each year to help enhance salmon populations, while also providing salmon education and stewardship through community participation,” explained Ree-Hembling, noting the event also helps to raise the public’s awareness of the hatchery and its work.
Smolt Fest will be held in conjunction with Salmon Fest this year, hosted by the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Society and Dancers.
“We thought joining the two events would promote salmon appreciation, since both are family-orientated and help boost community participation. The events go hand-in-hand as Salmon Festival is celebrating salmon and Smolt Fest is helping [to enhance salmon stocks],” said Ree-Hembling.
The day of fishy fun will kick-off Saturday with the 3rd Annual Salmon Festival, consisting of entertainment, games, crafts, educational displays and more, at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday.
Then, volunteers will start releasing approximately 2,000 smolt from the Oldfield Creek Fish Hatchery at 1 p.m. Participants are asked to bring old ice cream pails or small buckets with them, as the hatchery has a limited amount of buckets.
There will also be a salmon-themed craft table, fish ring toss game and educational booths by the Vancouver Aquarium, North Pacific Cannery National Heritage Site and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with Reeling Charters providing free cookies and juice to those in attendance.
Furthermore, a number of door prizes will be up for grabs, including two rounds of golf donated by the Prince Rupert Golf Club.
Smolt Fest is free to attend, however donations are encouraged to help with costs of operating the hatchery.
“The Oldfield Creek Fish Hatchery is a community project solely operated by dedicated volunteers,” said Ree-Hembling, adding the Prince Rupert Salmonid Enhancement Society is always looking for volunteers.
“If you have handy skills to help with maintenance, a bone for biology or just some extra time, please do not hesitate to contact us,” she said.
Community members interested in volunteering are asked to email oldfieldhatchery@gmail.com.