Fisheries
Fisheries
Cowichan Fish Hatchery
Started in 1977, the Cowichan Fish Hatchery is a Salmonid Enhancement facility operated by Cowichan Tribes under contract to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The primary goal of the Hatchery is to raise the wild salmon stock in the Cowichan River system to historical levels through a combination of brood stock and salvage strategies. The facility has a capacity for 3.5 million eggs, but is limited by water availability (the facility uses ground water only) and returning stocks (maximum 30%).
Salmon Fry Release (to 2003):
Chum (since 1976) - 6,0420708
Coho (1982 to 2000*) - 2,438,836
Coho salvaged (since 1976) - 6,352,550**
Chinook (since 1979) - 44,778,458**
**Updated: March 26, 2015
Contact
5762 Allenby Road
Duncan, BC V9L 5J1
Fx: 250.748.1233
Email:


* Brood stock of coho was discontinued in 2001. Research found that wild coho are much stronger and therefore have a much better survival rate.