Salmonid Adipose Fin Clipping at Conuma Hatchery

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) requires the adipose fin clipping of an estimated 3.5 million juvenile salmon at Conuma Hatchery located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island between the communities of Gold River and Tahsis. The objective of this Contract is the completion of adipose fin clipping of juvenile salmon at Conuma Hatchery within the anticipated, but not limited to, period of late February to late May of each year of the Contract. Fin clipping of juvenile salmonids (otherwise referred to as “marking”) is conducted to meet specific objectives including, but not limited to, identification of fish for harvest in fisheries, estimation of total catch and distribution for inclusion in international management models, and to allow for the assessment of rebuilding efforts in stocks of concern. By marking a known number of fish, and accurately reporting the resulting data, this information can be used by various agencies in the management of fish and fisheries. To meet these objectives, a fin clipping program is required at Conuma Hatchery.