May 06, 2010
Clinton Schoolkids Release Coho in Byrne Creek
Kids from Clinton Elementary in southeast Burnaby helped streamkeepers, DFO community advisors, and City of Burnaby staff release coho smolts (yearlings) into Byrne Creek this morning. Clinton School has been involved in several Byrne Creek activities this year - - good on them!
Thank you DFO for bringing these young coho all the way from the Bell-Irving Hatchery at Kanaka Creek. All life in Byrne Creek was wiped out in March when someone unthinkingly poured a cleanser down a street drain, so we're rebuilding the creek from scratch, yet again.
Here are a few photos of today's uplifting event.
Setting the scene: the gorgeous lower reaches of the ravine park
Maurice of the DFO chats with the kids
Yep, that's how big the coho will be when they
come back to spawn in a year or two :-)
Maurice is passionate about his calling,
and we streamkeepers and kids love his style!
The kids' eyes light up as they see the fish they will release
There they go - thanks Clinton kids!
Giving a few confused laggards a gentle poke to move them on
Beautiful young smolts acclimatize to their new, temporary
home before they head out to the ocean soon.
Hope to see at least a few of you back spawning in our creek in
a year and half, when you're nearly as long as my arm!