About us

The Seymour Salmonid Society is comprised of a Board of Directors, Staff members who run the Hatchery and over 200 members and volunteers.  For 20 years, the Seymour Salmonid Society has been practicing responsible salmon stewardship. and has grown to be a respected voice for conservation of fish and habitat for the Seymour River, and its neighbouring North Shore streams.  Our Steelhead and Coho programs help anglers to have a sustainable sport fishery.

The  hatchery began in 1977 as a small salmonid enhancement facility run by the British Columbia Institute of Technology.  From 1977 to 1987 they were contracted by the Federal government to develop and operate it as a place where students could gain practical field experience in fish culture activities. At that time, the operation of the hatchery was taken over by a community-based group called the Seymour Salmonid Society.  We support other groups, hatcheries and schools with assistance in stewardship, supplying eyed eggs and supplementations to 'salmon in the classroom'.

Another directive of the Seymour Salmonid Society is habitat creation. Because the fish have lost so much river to the dam, we try to create new habitat by way of spawning channels and over-wintering water.  With help from Fisheries and Oceans Canada the society has developed an education program called 'Gently Down the Seymour'; it has been developed with elementary school students in mind.  This very unique program combines hands-on experience with class room research and students about stream ecology, fish and fish habitat. This all day field trip is offered to schools at no cost.

Long ago salmon returned by the millions to spawn in the local rivers of North Vancouver. In a dramatic, and captivating spectacle this cycle of life went on for thousands of years without disruption. Today the effects of urbanization, dams, loss of habitat, pollution and over fishing have reduced the resource in a comparatively very short time. Today fish stocks are assisted and replenished by protecting habitat, creating new habitat by enhancement facilities such as the Seymour River Hatchery.

Partners in Enhancement

The Seymour Hatchery is supported in part by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, (Community Economic Development Program) and the Greater Vancouver Regional District. We also rely on financial support from our corporate sponsors and individual members of whom we are extremely grateful.