Gillnetters see value of hatchery

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The Area D Gillnetter's Association presented a $2,000 cheque to Uchucklesaht Chief Councillor Charlie Cootes Sr., to assist in the operation of the Henderson Lake Hatchery.

"This is a significant occasion as it marks the first time a resource user group has directly recognized the contribution that Henderson Lake Hatchery makes to the commercial fishing industry," said Cootes.

"For 10 years the Uchucklesaht hatchery has poured fry into the general pool of wild fish from Clemens Creek that become adult fish, which support the commercial, sport, food fish, and conservation stocks for the next cycle.

This donation means the Area D Gillnetter's Association recognizes a responsibility of the resource users to take a role in supporting the supply side of the resource, and it's greatly appreciated by the Uchucklesaht tribe," he said.

Area D stretches from Barclay Sound north, up the west coast of Vancouver Island past Kyuquot and into Quatsino Sound, and is one of the province's richest sockeye fishing grounds.

"The Area D Salmon Gillnet Association is very pleased to be able to contribute to the efforts being put into the recovery of Henderson Lake sockeye by the Uchucklesaht tribe," said association president Les Rombough.

"Recovery of this sockeye stock is important to all user groups and continuing support for their efforts is critical."

Over the past decade, the Henderson Lake hatchery has been funded by the Uchucklesaht Tribe, with some supplemental funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Cootes is hoping other user groups will see the value in keeping the hatchery in operation and will contribute.