Hoy Creek Hatchery is located east of Douglas College David Lam campus in Coquitlam, along Hoy Trail.
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Hoy-Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) in Coquitlam, B.C. is seeking a fish hatchery manager. The individual will be trained by the current hatchery manager, Rodney Lee starting mid-September 2019 and will eventually assume the managing activities at the hatchery. No previous experience is needed, just reliability, an interest in fish and an appetite for learning and ability to coordinate.
This role will train in all aspects of managing the hatchery including broodstock collection, egg takes, equipment operation and maintenance, egg incubation and caring for the alevins and fry.
Interested persons should provide a brief essay stating interest, previous experience (if any) and why you would like this role. Please note that all volunteers working at the Hoy Creek Hatchery are members of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society. This is a volunteer position.
Responsibilities:
Learn how the hatchery operates
Learn how to start-up and maintain equipment
Learn about salmon and primarily the 2 species we will be incubating - Chum and Coho
Learn how to capture and care for broodstock
Learn about and conduct the egg-take and fertilization process.
Learn about and maintain biosecurity protocol for the facility.
Assist with weekly and season maintenance activities
Assist with the care and feeding of all generations of fish
Assist with fish length and weight sampling including started fish health calculations
Assist with taking water quality measurements
Assist with operation of the rearing pond including the operation of the lower pond and outlet weir.
Learn about aquaculture in the context of the Salmon Enhancement Program through Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Assist with planning and execution of fish marking (adipose clipping).
Assist with transport and release of surplus Coho fry to Upper Hoy and Upper Scott if necessary.
Provide a brief hatchery update to HSWS executive for monthly meetings (Sept. – June)
Assist at our public events: Salmon Come Home (October); Salmon Leave Home (May)
Act as the backup for the current hatchery manager, Rodney Lee until able to resume full responsibility as a hatchery manager.
Time commitment: Hours vary but would typically require at least 3 hours one morning per week September through June. Training would take place on Saturday mornings. This commitment starts with preparatory work for the broodstock capturing season and goes through to fin-clipping and transfer to the hatchery rearing pond; to the annual release of smolts in May. Summer months are less busy. The selected candidate must be available to attend to hatchery duties as they arise and needs vary a lot in the season. Living relatively close to the hatchery is a necessity.
Communication: Needs to be available by cell phone and text message as a primary means of communication. Email is secondary.
Benefits of the position:
1 year free training from current manager of 11 years
Opportunity to learn from the Department of Fisheries staff to support one of the most significant sub-watersheds in the Coquitlam River watershed
Development opportunities available, including attendance at Pacific Streamkeepers Federation workshops / SEP conference
Rewarding work with a fun, friendly, committed group of volunteers
Volunteering looks great on a resume!
Please email the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society with questions or to state your interest in this role: hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com.
Hoy-Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) is a volunteer run non-profit society that operates a small salmon hatchery beside Hoy Creek, and conducts a salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and with technical expertise from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The group stewards the Hoy and Scott Watersheds, promoting public awareness and education, and is involved in watershed habitat restoration and preservation. Learn more at our website: hoyscottcreeks.org