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Spruce City Wildlife Association
in Partnership with Department of Fisheries and Oceans
brings Salmonids in the Classroom
In 1977 the Salmonid Enhancement Program was initiated as a solution to better manage the depleted salmon fishery in British Columbia. Some of the proposed benefits of this program included:
- increasing the commercial catch
- providing better opportunities for sports fishermen
- improving the native food fishery
- increasing public awareness
- educating school children
The main element for educating children was, and is, the Salmonid in the Classroom program. Approximately 900 classes in B.C. and the Yukon Territories are involved in this classroom salmon incubation project. Students from grades 1-12 raise salmon in a classroom aquarium from eyed eggs, through the alevin stage and release them as fry into their native stream or river.
During this 6 to 7 month period teachers integrate the Salmonid in the Classroom curriculum, developed and field tested by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the British Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF), into their teaching schedule. Through this interactive program school children are learning about the conditions necessary for salmon survival, while at the same time gaining a sense of stewardship over this natural resource.
While this project is not technically difficult, it does require a fair amount of commitment and time on the part of the teacher. The Salmonid in the Classroom curriculum is a requirement when considering raising salmon in the classroom. Since it is full of great activities and information it will take a few years to make use of it all. The following is an approximate calendar of events when receiving eggs from the Spruce City Wildlife Association's hatchery:
August/September
Egg-take at the hatchery. Eggs are being reared for the schools.
November
Eyed-egg stage.
Schools set up tanks 1-2 weeks before eggs arrive.
December
Eggs hatch to alevin stage.
January
Alevins 'button-up'; become fry.
Feed fry beginning now until release.
Change part of water in tank every week.
May
May Fry are ready to return to the wild.
Release fry to their native stream or return to hatchery.
In Prince George the Spruce City Wildlife Association (SCWA) Hatchery is the headquarters of this program. When SCWA. volunteers capture brood stock in August and do their egg take, a pre-determined number of eggs is set aside in a separate aquarium for the Salmonid in the Classroom project. After the eggs are delivered to the classes, fish food is ordered through the hatchery to be bagged and kept there until the schools are ready for it. The Spruce City Wildlife Association also opens its hatchery doors for tours in the spring.
In 2005 the SCWA added a saltwater aquarium to the Hatchery. This had become home to many marine invertebrates, including barnacles, sea urchins and sea stars. This aquarium will introduce adults and students to the concept that what we put in our storm drains, rivers and streams, will eventually enter our oceans.
Technical support for this program is provided throughout the year. If you are interested in raising salmon in your classroom, or would like to book a tour, leave a message with Fisheries & Oceans Canada at 561-5366.
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