Hatchery

Tŝilhqot’in Interim Conservation Hatchery

A Tŝilhqot’in-led conservation hatchery in Tŝilhqot’in Territory was identified as a Nation-wide priority to further advance our goal of rebuilding our wild salmon stocks and fisheries, and to mitigate the risk of extirpation of vulnerable stocks. The hatchery allows us to prepare for an uncertain future by supporting resilient, biodiverse Tŝilhqot’in salmon populations. 

Beginning in 2019, we conducted over 3 years of technical feasibility work including baseline data collection, genetic research, feasibility assessments, engineering design and costing. The interim conservation hatchery was delivered in summer 2022. Preparation of the hatchery site at Hanceville was conducted in fall 2022, hatchery installation in Feb 2023, and systems testing/training in spring and summer 2023.

Image Gallery

Leonard English and Michelle Tung establishing water monitoring program at the Hanceville site.
Leonard English and Michelle Tung establishing water monitoring program at the Hanceville site.
TNG Fisheries crew and TNG Rangers collecting water quality and quantity data at the Hanceville site.
TNG Fisheries crew and TNG Rangers collecting water quality and quantity data at the Hanceville site.
Randy Billyboy and Andrea sterling conducting a hatchery site visit.
Randy Billyboy and Andrea sterling conducting a hatchery site visit.
Excavator preparing site for hatchery installation - Oct 2022
Excavator preparing site for hatchery installation - Oct 2022
Hatchery interior - incubation module (eggs and alevin)
Hatchery interior - incubation module (eggs and alevin)
Hatchery interior - rearing tank (from yolk sac absorption to fry)
Hatchery interior - rearing tank (from yolk sac absorption to fry)
The interim hatchery – 2 adapted seacans (installed Feb 2023)
The interim hatchery – 2 adapted seacans (installed Feb 2023)

We have a salmon conservation hatchery!

The interim Tŝilhqot’in led salmon conservation hatchery is a key milestone in our staged approach to developing long-term hatchery capacity in Tŝilhqot’in Territory. We raised our first cohort of Chilko Jaŝ (Chinook) from eggs to the fry stage from fall 2023 to spring 2024.

TNG hosted a hatchery opening event on May 3, 2024, which was attended by Tŝilhqot’in Leadership, community members, TNG staff, and partners from First Nations organizations and government.

Hatchery opening – May 3, 2024.

Image Gallery

Winston Bambrick collecting the first eggs for the hatchery.
Winston Bambrick collecting the first eggs for the hatchery.
Winston putting the eggs into incubation trays.
Winston putting the eggs into incubation trays.
Eyes were visible through the eggs by fall 2023.
Eyes were visible through the eggs by fall 2023.
The team picked out any dead or diseased eggs to ensure the rest remained healthy.
The team picked out any dead or diseased eggs to ensure the rest remained healthy.
The alevin stage was reached in Nov 2023.
The alevin stage was reached in Nov 2023.
The fish reached the fry stage in late winter and were ponded (moved into rearing tanks) on March 1, 2024.
The fish reached the fry stage in late winter and were ponded (moved into rearing tanks) on March 1, 2024.
Winston Bambrick, Michelle Tung, Randy Billyboy and Andrea Sterling visiting Chinook in the fry stage.
Winston Bambrick, Michelle Tung, Randy Billyboy and Andrea Sterling visiting Chinook in the fry stage.

Pathway to a permanent Tŝilhqot’in Hatchery

We are currently working with DFO to collaboratively develop a permanent hatchery at the Hanceville site. TNG is proactively advancing feasibility work to identify best technical options for hatchery capacity and function to best meet our Nation-wide long-term recovery objectives.

TNG hatchery tour for DFO technical staff – May 2023

“Our Aboriginal title flows through the rivers that support our salmon.” 

– Chief Francis Laceese (Tl’esqox)