Our Salmon Have Hatched!

Submitted by Heritage Interpreter, Abigail U.

In mid-December, the Cannery became home to 55 Coho Salmon that we are raising from the eyed-egg stage to when they develop into salmon fry.

Over the past few weeks the salmon have gradually been hatching, and we now have over four dozen alevins (juvenile salmon with the yolk sac still attached) learning to swim around the bottom of their tank.

Only a handful of fish have yet to emerge from their eggs. The attached yolk-sac on these alevins will nourish the tiny fish until it is reabsorbed and the salmon develop into fry. This process will take around 6-7 weeks, so drop by the Cannery soon to see the salmonids while they still have their tiny orange yolks attached to their bellies!

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is a proud participant of the Salmonids in the Classroom program supported and funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The program teaches participants about the life cycle of the Pacific Salmon and their important role in our west coast ecosystem.