FAQ

What is a salmon hatchery?

Salmon hatcheries play a key role in the efforts to conserve weak salmon stocks; provide recreational, commercial and First Nation’s fishing opportunities; and support stock assessment.

Hatchery staff capture adult salmon as they return to their streams of origin. Eggs are taken from the returning spawners, fertilized and incubated at the hatchery. After the eggs have hatched and the young salmon called alevin have absorbed their yolk sacs, the juveniles are moved to rearing ponds and fed for varying lengths of time, depending on the species, before they are released back to their natal streams. In a hatchery, juvenile salmon survive at rates many times greater than in the wild. The activities conducted in a hatchery follow the natural life cycle for each salmon species.

Hatcheries allow significantly increased survivorship of juveniles and provide increased fishing opportunities, comprising an estimated 10 to 20 percent of all salmon harvested in B.C. 

What are the differences between salmon hatcheries, farms and ranches?

Salmon hatcheries (like Thornton Creek Hatchery) can be called 'restoration aquaculture'. Here salmon are raised and then released to supplement the populations of recreational, commercial, and ecologically-important species. 

Salmon farming and salmon ranching have the same goal - to grow salmon and provide a food source to consumers. Both methods of aquaculture hatch eggs which are raised in a freshwater hatchery facility and both methods move fish from freshwater to saltwater net pens to continue growing.

Salmon farmers culture fish for their entire lifecycle, eventually harvesting them directly from the net pen in which they were raised; whereas salmon ranchers release their fish as juveniles from the net pens to complete their life cycles in the open ocean. As ranched salmon instinctively remember where they were born, they will return to the freshwater ecosystem that they "imprinted" upon to be harvested largely by the commercial fishing industry.

Where do our fish come from and where do they go?

Below the impassable (by salmon) waterfall, Thornton Creek is only 300m long, and has a significant amount of tidal influence meaning that the creek water is actually quite salty, especially at high tide. As such, this creek would never have a natural salmon run.

In 1975 a Chum salmon run was established in Thornton Creek to create a fishery in the Ucluelet Inlet, as well as ground-truth the Japanese keeper-channel style of enhancement. These first Chum salmon came from Smith Creek (in Ucluelet) and were released in Thornton Creek, where they imprinted, went out to sea, then returned to this system year after year where the run was perpetuated by the hatchery. Without a hatchery here, salmon would not successfully spawn as the water is too saline and there is a lack of spawning habitat.

In 1981 the Thornton Creek Enhancement Society was formed to operate the hatchery as a DFO Community Economic Development Project focused on enhancing three species: Chinook, Coho and Chum salmon. The initial broodstock for Thornton Creek Chinook and Coho came from Robertson Creek in Port Alberni.

Apart from the Thornton stock of fish, that return to Thornton Creek, we also work with fish from other rivers throughout the Barkley and Clayoquot areas. All progenies are returned to their river of origin, thereby maintaining the genetic integrity of each stock. One exception to this is the Chum salmon repatriation on Chenatha (Twin Rivers). This run used to support 5000-6000 Chum but was extirpated. We collect broodstock from the abundant Little Toquaht River Chum run, raise these fry at the hatchery, then reintroduce the species to Chenatha.

What can I see if I visit Thornton creek?

The hatchery staff or volunteers are happy to show visitors the hatchery grounds and parts of the facility. Many folks choose to visit the hatchery to view spawning salmon and other wildlife in the autumn months, and visit in the spring to see salmon fry growing.

If you would like to visit the hatchery, and are unsure of our hours of operation, please call ahead at 250-726-7566. From the beginning of September to mid-November we are open 10 am to 3 pm everyday.

When can I view bears?

Many black bears frequent Thornton Creek in search of spawning salmon in the fall. The peak run time for salmon returning to Thornton Creek is mid-September to the end of October. In past years the best bear-viewing has been during the month of October. We close our gate to bear-watchers in early November, as the bears have left the creek for the season.

What can I bring with me to the hatchery?

If you are visiting the hatchery to volunteer with hatchery staff, or to view wildlife, make sure that you are dressed appropriately. Bring warm layers (Thornton Creek is often colder than in town), appropriate footwear and rain gear if needed. We do not encourage the use of umbrellas while viewing wildlife because our viewing area/boardwalk is narrow in sections and umbrellas can be cumbersome.

If you are a photographer please feel free to bring your photography equipment with you, just be mindful about how bulky your gear is, and how that may impact other visitors viewing wildlife. That being said we do not encourage excessive flash photography, as it is disruptive to wildlife.

What NOT to bring:

• food or drinks of any kind (other than water)

• pets - absolutely no animals on the hatchery property or in vehicles

How can I get involved with TCES?

We are always looking for volunteers to assist us with broodstock collection between September and November, during bear-viewing season on-site at the hatchery, or in the springtime to clip the adipose fins of our salmon fry. If you are interested in volunteering your time, or getting involved in any way, please contact us by phone.

If I donate do I get a tax receipt?

Yes! TCES is a registered, non-profit, charitable society. Refer to our ‘Donate’ page for more information.

Any other questions?

Please call ahead if you have any further questions - 250-726-7566.

If we are unable to answer, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.