Students release Atlantic salmon raised in classroom

John Castel (third from and Laura Ryan (second from councillors for the Town of Mono, as well as volunteers from Banrock Station Wines and the Islington Sportsmen's Club, await their load of Atlantic salmon fry at the Belfountain Conservation Area. Loading their watering cans is Jeremy Holden, OFAH community conservation field biologist. More than 50,000 fry were stocked May 15 at the conservation area and at the Dominion Street entrance to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. Assisting were over 20 students from the Belfountain Public School, who also planted trees in the conservation area with help from Credit Valley Conservation. David Kentner, Halton Hills councillor, was also out to view the day's activities. Grade six students from Belfountain Public School said bon voyage to a school of Atlantic salmon fry raised in their very own classroom fish hatchery.

Students, teachers and local dignitaries joined the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and its conservation partners in stocking more than 50,000 fish in the Credit River.

At the Belfountain Conservation Area, fish stocking and tree planting followed an overview of the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program.

"For the past five months, students from across the province have been learning about conservation history and environmental science as they have helped raised Atlantic salmon in classroom hatchery systems provided, free of charge, courtesy of the Belfountain Community Hatchery. Education is an important part of the Lake Ontario Salmon Restoration Program and the O.F.A.H. and its partners are delighted see so many enthusiastic young conservationists taking part in our Atlantic salmon stocking events," said Chris Robinson, O.F.A.H. Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program coordinator.

Stocking the Credit River with Atlantic salmon is all part of a history-making conservation endeavor that was officially unveiled last year by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and its conservation partners, including Banrock Station Wetland Foundation Canada, LCBO, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Sport Fishing Industry Association. Other project partners include Trees Ontario, Fishing Forever Foundation, WFN: World Fishing Network, Ontario Wildlife Foundation, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canadian Wildlife Federation, and Fleming College. For more information, visit www.bringbackthesalmon.ca.