Hatchery Capacity in the Upper Fraser

Upper Fraser First Nations are leading recovery efforts for vulnerable and endangered Upper Fraser salmon stocks, including increasing hatchery capacity in the region through partnerships and the development of First Nations-led hatchery facilities. The UFFCA is leading the QRRC hatchery, and supporting Upper Fraser First Nations-led hatchery operations through collective engagement.

UFFCA-led Quesnel River Research Center Hatchery at UNBC

UFFCA leads hatchery operations at the Quesnel River Research Center (QRRC) at the University of Northern British Columbia, a key facility for rebuilding priority vulnerable Upper Fraser Chinook populations. A benefit of the QRRC hatchery facility is that its systems are fed from wells, so fish raised there do not ‘imprint’ onto local surface-water characteristics; this occurs only once they’ve been released into their natal streams.

The salmon hatchery at the Quesnel River Research Center (QRRC) at the University of Northern BC (UNBC)

Fertilizing salmon eggs at the QRRC hatchery

Incubation trays at QRRC hatchery — incubation for eggs and alevin stages

Outdoor ‘raceways’ for juvenile salmon in the fry stage — fed by deep wells

Takla Lake First Nation Salmon Conservation Hatchery

The Takla Nation’s hatchery efforts are focused primarily on the recovery of Early Stuart sockeye, a run composed of more than 40 genetically distinct populations that spawn in the headwaters of the Upper Fraser River. Early Stuart are the earliest returning sockeye, and are critically important to First Nations in the Upper Fraser and elsewhere in the watershed. These fish have seen dramatic declines in recent decades, and were highly impacted by the Big Bar Landslide in 2019.

UFFCA members touring the Takla Lake hatchery in June 2023

UFFCA project coordinators Ashley Raphael and Rebecca Broadbent getting a tour of the Takla hatchery by Cory Williamson

Early Stuart sockeye fry at the Takla hatchery

Takla Fisheries Manager Keith West preparing a water tank for the Early Stuart sockeye fry release in June 2023

Nak'azdli Whut'en Salmon Conservation Hatchery

Nak’azdli Whut’en developed a conservation hatchery program to support overall salmon recovery efforts in the Upper Fraser, and more specifically the protection of Early Stuart sockeye. The hatchery, when complete, will consist of five mobile hatchery units with the capacity to incubate and rear several hundred thousand salmon eggs and fry. 

Nak’azdli hatchery manager Pete Erickson and the fisheries crew collecting brood stock to be raised in the hatchery

Salmon fry at the Nak’azdli hatchery

Nak’azdli community fry release on the Salmon River

Tŝilhqot'in National Government Salmon Conservation Hatchery

A Tŝilhqot’in-led conservation hatchery was identified by Tŝilhqot’in Leadership as a Nation-wide goal to rebuild vulnerable fish populations that spawn in Tŝilhqot’in Territory. After several years of technical feasibility work, engineering design, site preparation and hatchery installation, TNG began full hatchery operations in September 2023 with their first cohort of Chilko Chinook eggs. 

TNG Fisheries coordinator Leonard English and hatchery manager Wayne Levesque at the TNG hatchery

TNG junior hatchery manager Winston Bambrick collecting Chilko Chinook brood stock to be raised in the TNG hatchery

Winston checking on the health of the Chilko Chinook eggs

Chilko Chinook fry at the TNG hatchery

Hatchery Partnership with Spruce City Wildlife Association

The UFFCA partners with the Spruce City Wildlife Association (SCWA) hatchery to support the recovery of vulnerable Mid and Upper Fraser Chinook populations impacted by the Big Bar Landslide. The hatchery underwent upgrades in 2020 with support from the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, the UFFCA, and other partners to serve as a key rearing facility for emergency conservation enhancement of salmon.

Spruce City Wildlife Association (SCWA) hatchery

Bowron Chinook eggs and alevin at the SCWA hatchery

SCWA hatchery pump room, upgraded in 2020 to operate with improved energy efficiency.