March 20, 2006
Chum Fry Enliven Devasted Byrne Creek
Byrne Creek Streamkeepers John and Maho reported seeing over a hundred fry in the sediment pond in the artificial spawning habitat yesterday, so Yumi and I went to check it out this afternoon.
Sure enough, they were cruising around in schools of a couple of dozen fry each, and we managed to corral a few. Yumi got four in one swipe of her net -- a butterfly net with nice, soft mesh that doesn't hurt the tiny fish.
We put them in a bucket and transferred them to a jar for photos. They were chum salmon, and a welcome sight in a creek that was wiped out by a toxic spill just three weeks ago. Apparently the toxin did not penetrate all the redds, or nests of eggs, deposited by spawning salmon last autumn.
Four chum fry from overhead.
The wee tykes spread like a volley of mini torpedoes.
Here's another overhead with a tape -- they're 4 - 5 cm long.
Yumi getting set to release them back into the creek.
NOTE: Please don't try this with your kids -- it's illegal without the sanction of the DFO!
Posted by Paul at March 20, 2006 03:17 PM