Atlantic salmon return Terra Cotta and Credit River

Councillor Allan Thompson pours a bucket filled with Atlantic salmon the Credit.

The historic Credit River, in the village of Terra Cotta (formerly named Salmonville) welcomed back a proud part of its past. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and its conservation partners released 9,915 Atlantic salmon, Lake Ontario's original salmon that disappeared (as did the name Salmonville) during early settlement.

The fish stocking was part of the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Project. Representatives from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Credit Valley Conservation and other agencies were on hand.

"It's been over a century since Atlantic salmon flourished in Lake Ontario, but thanks to the support and research of the MNR, ongoing stream stewardship efforts of groups such as Credit Valley Conservation, and the overwhelming support from OFAH sponsors and volunteers, Ontario can welcome back this lost ecological treasure," said Dr. Terry Quinney, OFAH provincial manager of fish and wildlife services.

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 Wine, LCBO, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Sportfishing 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 the Web site www.bringbackthesalmon.ca.

Paul Malcolmson, from the MNR's Normandale fish culture station, helps load the salmon while Councillor Allan Thompson pitches in. A total of 9,915 of the year-old fish were put in the Credit River at Terra Cotta last week.