GORE BAY—Thanks to the efforts of students and staff at Charles C. McLean Public School (C.C. McLean) in Gore Bay, and with the support of the Gore Bay Fish and Game Club (GBFGC) healthy Chinook salmon were stocked in Bickell’s Creek last week.
“On behalf of the GBFGC, a big thanks goes out to all those who had a part in this project at the school,” said Ches Witty of GBFGC at the release of the fish at Bickell’s Creek last Thursday morning. “The fish are really doing well, and we would like to say a special thank you to Richard (Panton) for all his expertise and efforts (to raise the fish in the school).”
Mr. Witty told the Grade 6/7 class students, “in four years these fish will be back here at the creek to spawn.”
Richard Panton, custodian at C.C. McLean, who led the fish raising project in the school pointed out, “we had a low hatch rate of the fish we had been provided, but those that hatched lived and look good.”
Zach Robinson, Grade 6/7 teacher said, “the students have been helping Richard in raising the fish for a few months now. The fish tank they were raised in is in the school hallway, and the fish were raised from eggs to what we see today. (Student) David Joyce helped Richard quite a bit.”
“This was the first time I experienced this (a class raising fish) and it was nice to see the kids get to see the fish from the time they hatched, and grow to a big enough size that they were stocked here in the creek,” said Mr. Robinson.
Mr. Witty explained GBFGC got the fish eggs last fall in Kagawong River. The school had previously been provided the fish tank and equipment to raise the fish over the fall and winter for planting in the spring.
“This was the first year we have planted the fish since COVID-19,” said Mr. Panton. “All the kids in the Grade 6/7 class showed interest in the program, and David Joyce and Michael Harper especially liked to help. The students were very helpful in raising the fish. They were there quite a bit. The kids love it.”
