Salmon Education and Stewardship Centre

The Prince Rupert Salmon Enhancement Society has completed a hands-on learning environment for residents and visitors to discover the importance of local salmon stocks.

The Oldfield Creek Fish Hatchery is operated by the Prince Rupert Salmon Enhancement Society (PRSES), a volunteer group composed of college students, residents and professionals within fishery agencies. With a focus on re-establishing and sustaining Prince Rupert’s salmon populations, the Hatchery and Society depend on local donations to conduct their research and conservation efforts.

We are excited about the opportunities this Centre will provide for engaging even more Prince Rupert residents in the restoration and improvement of local salmon habitat, as well as the value it adds to our growing tourism industry.

Megan Mitchell, President, Prince Rupert Salmon Enhancement Society

Following a modernization project at the Hatchery, in 2013 the PRSES undertook the task of creating a unique learning environment to complement their habitat stewardship and salmon rearing activities.

The result was the creation of Prince Rupert’s Salmon Education and Stewardship Centre, the first of its kind in Northern British Columbia. The Centre consists of interpretive galleries, a classroom and wet and dry labs to educate visitors of all ages, further enhancing PRSES’ established education and outreach programs. Among many partnerships in the community, PRSES works with School District 52 Prince Rupert and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to support the Stream to Sea program. Through this program, students learn about the salmon life cycle by participating in classroom incubation of salmon fry and visits to the Hatchery for demonstrations and activities.

“The work done by the Prince Rupert Salmon Enhancement Society at the Oldfield Creek Fish Hatchery is highly valued in the community,” said Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Salmon in particular remains core to the cultural identity of Prince Rupert and the surrounding area through its current and historical role in our regional economy and continued contribution to our quality of life. The education centre contributes to a greater understanding of its importance, and helps ensure this invaluable resource is abundant for future generations.”

In addition to $10,000 in financial support from the Port’s Community Investment Fund, the Society secured funding from CN Rail, Ridley Terminals, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northern Savings Credit Union, Prince Rupert Rampage, Shaw Cable, BC Hydro, Annunciation School, Maher Terminals and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

For more information on the Salmon Education & Stewardship Centre, visiting the Oldfield Creek Hatchery, or how to get more involved with the Prince Rupert Salmon Enhancement Society, visit them at facebook.com/OldfieldCreekFishHatchery