By all accounts more wild Salmon came in to the Rangitata in November/December this season than has been the case for the last few years. Unfortunately the river was a bit clouded for good fishing and they got well up river before the river cleared.
More fish have returned to the hatchery as well and so far we have had around 25 through the trap. This is many more than last year. We have got our fingers crossed that we have bottomed out in terms of poor returns. With our land based brood stock and fish that have returned, we should reach our goal of 110,000 fry for this year. This will still be a challenge for our small band of dedicated volunteers but we are still all passionate about the project. We need help, if anyone is available please let us know. Call 0274422454 if this plea finds favor with you or someone you may know.
We have 6000 almost yearling fry ready to release back to the river however 500 of these will be used to test the by-pass at the new RDR fish screen. These will be released up river and checked once they have passed the screen to check that they have got passed un-damaged. Its in all our interests to make sure this by-pass is working effectively. The scheme should be commissioned around September by all accounts.
More fish have returned to the hatchery as well and so far we have had around 25 through the trap. This is many more than last year. We have got our fingers crossed that we have bottomed out in terms of poor returns. With our land based brood stock and fish that have returned, we should reach our goal of 110,000 fry for this year. This will still be a challenge for our small band of dedicated volunteers but we are still all passionate about the project. We need help, if anyone is available please let us know. Call 0274422454 if this plea finds favor with you or someone you may know.
We have 6000 almost yearling fry ready to release back to the river however 500 of these will be used to test the by-pass at the new RDR fish screen. These will be released up river and checked once they have passed the screen to check that they have got passed un-damaged. Its in all our interests to make sure this by-pass is working effectively. The scheme should be commissioned around September by all accounts.
Fin clipping day. 2022. Click to enlarge.
Removing returnees from the trap.
Counting fry in to the tank.