Thanks to all of you who participated in the 2008 Bellingham Salmon Derby

All of the proceeds from the 2008 derby were donated to two local salmon enhancement projects.

$2,500 was donated to the Ferndale High School Aquaculture and Fishery Enhancement Program. The Ferndale High School Aquaculture Program, run by Edwin Elefson, gets around 20,000 Coho eggs each year from the Kendall hatchery and raise them and release them at the mouth of Deer Creek which dumps into the Nooksack River. Because their water is recirculated, they have a problem with bacteria and need a new sterilizer machine that will keep the water free from bacteria build up.

A high quality machine coast upwards of $2,500 and we hope our donation will allow them to raise and release more fish than ever before.

$2,500 was donated to The Fishtrap Creek Hatchery operated by the Senior Biology Class from Lynden Christian High School. The fish hatchery located on Fishtrap Creek in Lynden is operated by the Senior Biology class at Lynden Christian High School. The instructor, Harlan Kredit, has received numerous awards for the progress he has made in restoring the fish runs in Fishtrap Creek, which feeds into the Nooksack River. His most recent award was being named as one of Field and Streams’ 2007 “Heroes of Conservation”. The hatchery releases between 50,000 to 100,000 Coho Salmon per year into the creek. Over the years the hatchery has raised and released over 1.5 million salmon. If anyone wants to make a private donation to this program you can contact Harlan Kredit at 360-354-5373.

These two projects will hatch and release over 70,000 Coho into the Nooksack River system in 2009

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