NEWS

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Winter Storms Scour Sooke River

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By Think Salmon

Community: Vancouver Island

Excessive winter downpours have scoured the Sooke River and its tributaries destroying hundreds of thousands of salmon eggs.

High waters not only wiped out spawning beds but they also left salmon stranded in meadows and cow pastures. Volunteers from the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society rescued over 150 chum left behind in shallow sloughs. The fish were still green and ready to spawn and in good shape when returned to the Sooke River.

“Winter storms are the engines that stir up nutrients to support bait production in the ocean,” says Hatchery Director Glen Varney. “Salmon cycles are not immediately apparent and it may take years for the overall picture to emerge.”

Click here to read the full article in the Sooke News Mirror.