Is Nanaimo expecting a pink return again this year in Departure Bay?
It has been great since they started that project.
When do the pinks usually show up in Nanaimo?

I heard that one was going to be tried in Sydney, any truth to this?
Thanks.

Yes, Nanaimo is expecting a decent pink return again this year. Last year 50-60,000 returned, but it was an outstanding year up and down ECVI. At least 25,000 are expected to return this year fingers crossed. The beach fishery picked up in the first couple of weeks of August last year in Departure Bay and Maffeo Sutton park at the mouth of the Millstone.

How does the net pen work?

It's a put and take fishery no doubt about it, do you guys use the fish that don't get caught for brood stock or do they just swim around until they are caught or die?

The primary purpose of the netpens were to re-establish the pink run to the Nanaimo River. The estimate of 50-60,000 was actually fish in the Nanaimo River, there were more fish that did go up Departure Creek and the Millstone. Last year we were able to collect all of our own broodstock and fertilized 1.2 million eggs, and released 1 million smolts from the pens. 2.5% survival is a reasonable expectation for pinks. We do plan on collecting our own brood every year now. The netpen locations are spread out to provide the beach fishery before they enter the river.

I'm curious though, why not start the project in the river - would there not be a beach fishery regardless as they make their way to the stream?

Pinks are known to return to their exact pen location, so having pens in Departure Bay and Maffeo Sutton park will spread them throughout Departure Bay and the harbour area, whereas they probably wouldn't take that route, at least in great numbers, if they were released in the estuary. Feeding them at the hatchery is not an option because they need salt water fairly soon after they "emerge". Also, raising them in the pens for about a month gives them a better survival rate.

ok thanks for the info oglethorpe, here's hoping things work as well this year as last.

Thanks for the info.
I will be in Nanaimo on the 7th and 8th so willkeep my fingers crossed that they are in.

Anyone know how I would find out about other areas where pens were placed?