It has been decided to realign the hatchery side of the by-pass stream to stop the erosion of the bank and prevent it from cutting into the site. The existing Gabion baskets have collapsed and water is seeping through and causing problems. The solution appears to be the placement of large rectangular concrete blocks which will give strength and stability to the bank and prevent water seepage.

​We are asking interested people and supporters to help us by sponsoring one or a number of these blocks thereby helping us complete the job in the next few months. It is a big job and around 70 blocks are required. The cost of each block is $35.00, so one can see how hard it would be for us as a volunteer group to manage on a limited budget. We are hoping there are a number of good folk who care about the hatchery and who would be prepared to help us. We have started on a small part of the stream and the system works well. The job will be completed next year.
Those wishing to help can contact a member of the hatchery group or make a deposit to the "Salmon & Riparian Support trust bank account. (ANZ Bank number 06-0889-0265272-00). Please tag the donation to "concrete block" with a name, or number, for a receipt to be sent. We will be very grateful for any donations received.

An update as to Hatchery happenings to date. soo

Approx 44,000 fingerlings have been transferred from the inside shed to the South raceway outside. They will have more capacity to grow in the outside raceway and will reman there until release.

The remainder have been spread out among the inside tanks. We plan to fin clip these inside fish quite soon and release them in January. We plan to release the fish in stages with the next release somewhere around March and the final group in June or around that time. There are about 60,000 fish (give or take) to release this season.

Volunteers have been busy at the hatchery tending to around 80,000 young salmon in the tanks, and catching up with the mountain of maintenance that is required every week. The fish are looking healthy and will be transferred to the outside raceways in the coming months. 

McKinnon's creek had a good flow in it during the winter months but lately it has dropped markedly due to the lack of rain and the irrigation season starting up. Its something we have to keep an eye on every day as lack of water going through the tanks could be disastrous. 

Click on photos to enlarge.
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7500 young salmon (from last years crop) were released on 23rd July into McKinnons Creek. These fish ( one year old) will travel down to the Rangitata river estuary then swim out to sea, spending the next 2 years in the ocean before returning. Click the video button to see the young fish preparing to migrate down the creek.

Click the video button to see the fish being transferred from the hatchery to McKinnons Creek.

​The Trust had its AGM on 5th July at hut 60 Rangitata Reserve South. There was a good attendance and many of the issues facing hatcheries were discussed.
The Committee consists of;
President: Phil De Joux
Treasure: Alan Brooks
Secretary: Paul Centofanti

Grant Rooney
Richard Davidson
Graeme Parnell
Raylene Clarke
Robert Clarke
Chris De Joux
Rex Hobbs
Linda Whipp
Jackie Manning
Tim Wakefield (ex officio )
Ross Edmonston
Fred Reddicliffe
Dennis Laplance                                              Chairmans Report to the AGM is attached below.

Work continued over the period with eggs being picked over, dead eggs removed and as the eggs hatched their progress was monitored daily. Once the egg sack dissolved away the small fish were known as being "zipped up". At this stage they were transferred to stainless steel tanks inside the shed where they are at time of writing. They all appear to be progressing well and they are learning to take food from the water surface.  

For all McKinnon’s Creek Hatchery supporters and helpers in both North and South hut communities, plus the many others in South/Mid Canterbury who help and support, here is a hatchery update. Fortunately we were able to operate under MPI restrictions and a strong SOP during the period of lockdown to ensure survival of the species and so with minimum numbers of volunteers we carried on.

130 sea run adults returned to hatchery.  Approx 130,000 eggs from some of these incubated. All remaining fish released to McKinnon’s  creek.  Approx 53 Broodstock females used. 120,000 eggs incubated. All females crossed with sea run males. All remaining broodstock released into McKinnons creek. A total of 250,000 eggs, (give or take) are under incubation. The trap has been removed and there are salmon throughout the length of McKinnons creek. Some of these are spawning in suitable areas. These results are remarkable considering operating under strict protocols and MPI guidelines. Thanks must go to the volunteers who achieved these results to ensure we can all enjoy our fishing for salmon in the future. There are severe restrictions imposed by Fish and Game, that limit our range of activities to McKinnons creek and the lower part of the Rangitata river. Photos show some happy helpers and other activities associated with the spawning cycle. Click on photos to enlarge.