The Present
In 2015, the Hatchery has proved itself to being extremely successful in enhancing the Salmon fishery in the Central South Island. Something like and average of 60% of all salmon caught locally are of McKinnon's hatchery origin. There are a large number of anglers around that would not have had a fish over the last 2 or 3 years had it not been for the hatchery on McKinnon's creek and the dedication of the group that plans and manages the day to day running of the site.
The hatchery year begins about May each year when many of the fish that have returned to the Rangitata river end up in the trap in McKinnon's creek. These fish are sorted and eggs removed from the females and fertilised with milt from selected male fish. The fertilised eggs are then put into incubation trays where running water is circulated through and are then left fir approx 50 days to hatching.
The small fish are shifted to bigger tanks and fed until large enough to be put out into the raceways. Here they are fed automatically, and cared for over the course of one year during which time they are fin clipped and the raceways cleaned each weekly teams of voluntary helpers.
After attaining approx 65 grams in weight, and being 1 year old, the fish are released back into McKinnon's creek where they will remain for a couple of days prior to making their way down into the Rangitata river and out to sea.
Those that survive will return nearly 2 years later to begin the process all over again.
The hatchery year begins about May each year when many of the fish that have returned to the Rangitata river end up in the trap in McKinnon's creek. These fish are sorted and eggs removed from the females and fertilised with milt from selected male fish. The fertilised eggs are then put into incubation trays where running water is circulated through and are then left fir approx 50 days to hatching.
The small fish are shifted to bigger tanks and fed until large enough to be put out into the raceways. Here they are fed automatically, and cared for over the course of one year during which time they are fin clipped and the raceways cleaned each weekly teams of voluntary helpers.
After attaining approx 65 grams in weight, and being 1 year old, the fish are released back into McKinnon's creek where they will remain for a couple of days prior to making their way down into the Rangitata river and out to sea.
Those that survive will return nearly 2 years later to begin the process all over again.
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