Its time for a catch up on Hatchery happenings since the last post in April.  Work carries on rain, hail or shine. We have a great team of enthusiastic volunteers who give up days every week to keep the hatchery operating. Following is a summary of operations to date.

The Incubators were prepared for the arrival of eggs, cleaned, and disinfectant added 7th May. Cleanliness is paramount at all stages of egg and fish production.
 
Started stripping fish 14th May, only 4 ready, stripped 26 on 17th May, grateful for help from Mt Cook Salmon rep. Stripped some fish for Otago harbour 21st May (wet day, everyone got wet), and some more fish 26th May. These eggs are added to “Heath tray Incubators” which contain 8 trays. Water moves from the top tray through all the eggs and exits the lowest tray.  The top tray is not used for eggs and is left clear to trap any silt.
Started egg picking to remove  dead eggs on 27th May and continued on till around 27th July. Eggs started hatching 16th July.
Fin Clipping started 20th April, 28th June (30 helpers) and 27th July, (27 helpers) Wonderful help from a dedicated group of volunteer helpers,
Started transferring hatchlings from incubators to stainless steel in side tanks from 30th July.  Click on photos to enlarge. See video of fin clipped fish returning to raceway. There are virtually zero mortality at this operation. After 30 seconds back in fresh water they are up and away.