Oyster River pink salmon broodstock collection begins

The Oyster River Enhancement Society (ORES) has launched its 2026 pink salmon broodstock collection along the Oyster River. Dozens of volunteers participated in the effort, which involves wading into the water to collect fish to help sustain salmon runs returning to the Salish Sea.

The hatchery, situated between Campbell River and the Comox Valley, has operated for over 40 years. While the society receives support from organizations such as the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the Campbell River Salmon Foundation, and Oceans Canada, the operation relies heavily on volunteer labor for tasks ranging from egg collection to winter maintenance.

During the recent collection, organizers aimed to capture 300 male and 300 female pink salmon from a pool estimated to hold as many as 10,000 fish. Volunteers used seine nets and dip nets to sort the fish by sex before transporting them to the hatchery in water-equipped trucks.