Fish Eggs to Fry: Week 8 Final Update

Greetings everyone,

What an amazing adventure this has been!  On Tuesday, October 22^nd, ODFW delivered 250 Spring Chinook salmon eggs to both Garibaldi and Bay City Branch Libraries.  On Wednesday, December 11^th, approximately 70 people participated in the salmon release at Al Griffin Memorial Park in Bay City.  In addition to setting the salmon fry free to begin their journey to the ocean, kids also participated in a fishing game, learned about salmon and their habitat, and left with some fun gifts.

Final data for Bay City (BC) & Garibaldi (G) as of release on 12/11/24:

Water temperature: As the release date neared, both library branches lowered their tank temperatures.  BC- went from 52^o to 50^o, and  G-which lowered the tank the previous week from 53^o to 51^o, held it steady at 51^o.  Lowering the temperatures reduced growth stress on the fry and helped acclimate them to expected temperatures in the creek on the release date.

Total Thermal Units (TUs): BC-1,698, G-1,1729

Total Mortalities (Morts): Eggs – 9 & Fry - 33

Total Number of Fry Released:  Each branch was originally provided 250 eggs.  Of those, participants at the event released 458 fry into the wild!

THANK YOU!

To Kyle Wilson, Step Biologist with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, for guiding us through the program, for making it fun to learn about salmon, and for leading our best salmon release event yet!  To learn more about the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) go to: www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/STEP/resources-education.asp

To Danielle Maillard and Diane DiMarco, valued partners from the beginning and everyone else from Tillamook Estuaries Partnership who were available to provide help and support in sharing the wonders of our natural environment with our community.  To learn more about TEP, their work and how to get involved go to:  www.tbnep.org

To the City of Bay City,  Mayor, Liane Welch and Public Works Director, Roy Markee for providing safe access to the release site and welcoming everyone.

To Dave Hanson for all of his support and helping get both tanks off to a great start.

To the classes from Garibaldi Grade School and Hope Inspired School for joining us in learning about salmon and their habitat while watching the salmon hatch and grow.

To everyone who supported and/or participated in this program.

Visuals: