In
2009/10 the Medway River Salmon Association, in conjunction with the
Atlantic SalmonFederation and the Greenfield Elementary School
partnered in our first Fish Friends project.
In the late spring of 09 a meeting between ourselves and school staff
was held to determine interest in the project. Once the green light was
given we passed a motion to fund the project and set out to secure
“eggs” for the project. Based on the great tradition in Greenfield it
only made sense to go forward with salmon eggs. After long discussions
Fisheries and Oceans Canada they agreed to breed one male and one
female at the Mersey Biodiversity Facility.
The
“eyed” eggs were taken to the school in early March by DFO
and placed in the aquarium, after discussions with the students, by
Lewis Hinks, ASF Regional Director.
The studentsl released the fry into the Medway River at the end of
the school year in June, 2010. Many thanks to Marsha Freeman and staff for
making this a successful venture. Shown below are the students doing their bit at the river.
Since that time, Fish friends has become a highly acclaimed school program that gives both
children and adults the opportunity to experience raising and exploring
the world of wild salmon, a species that needs clean rivers and
streams. The Medway River Salmon Association, along with the
Mersey Biodiversity Facility staff, have helped set up aquariums in the
Queens county area such as Mill Village, Greenfield, Caledonia, Wild
Cat, and the Liverpool Jr. High.
On March5, 2012, live wild salmon eggs
where delivered to the schools. As you can see in the pictures below, the
students took a keen interest in what was going on. Over the ensuing
weeks, as in past years, they will watch the eggs grow and then hatch. Later, they will
see them returned to the wild, thus creating a very personal bond
between the students and the natural world. This programme also raises
awareness for the student and adult about the need to care for our
natural environment.
