Each fall, the Centennial Salmon Club , the local DFO fisheries advisor, and curious students, head down to the mouth of Mossom Creek to do the annual egg-take. About 1000 Chum spawners return each year. A number that is very close to record levels. When we first started the program there were no fish. Now we have approximately 1000 fish returning every year.
Students eagerly await with nets in the hopes to catch a few slow swimming fish.
With backup nets set up down-stream, the numbers of fish getting away are minimal. Once a fish is caught, they are securely held and brought back to shore where they are then knocked unconscious. I try to stay as far away as possible when the fish are being knocked out. After the fish is dead they are tested for sperm or eggs. The sperm is squeezed out of the male salmon and placed into a clean bag.