MANITOWANING—A group of students at Assiginack Public School, through the efforts of Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association (MSIA) and the United Walleye Club, have become stewards in raising brook trout eggs set for release in Norton’s Creek later this spring.
“This is a win-win for everyone,” stated Sue Meert, of MSIA, last week. “Fish will be planted in the stream, and the kids will have the chance to experience first hand what it is like to raise fish through the life cycle.”
Ms. Meert explained, “we had the same program run in the school a few years ago, with some leftover brook trout eggs that had fell through the Scotty boxes as part of our annual brook trout eyed egg event. It was a successful program then, but unfortunately the eggs that had fallen out of the scotty boxes this year died.”
However, “representatives of the United Walleye Club, Rolly Frappier and Bob Florean, gave us a bunch more fish to raise in the school,” said Ms. Meert. “I had approached them about having more eggs and they helped set up the micro-hatchery in the school so the students can raise the fish.”
“We’ve had the fish eggs for a few weeks now,” explained Ms. Meert. She pointed out the Assiginack School Grade 3-4 and 5-6 classes are involved in the project. “They are the champions of the project and rearing of the eggs.”
“Rolly and Bob were also able to get and place a high end microscope at the school and the students were given the brook trout eggs to hatch,” continued Ms. Meert. “With this microscope the students are able to view the heart pumping and movement and life in these little fish eggs. The students are very excited to be the champions of this project.”
“The students are very excited to be the champions of this project. The eggs are now hatched and are at the yolk sack stage,” she said last week. “We will be releasing these little guys in Norton’s Creek probably within the next two or three months.”
