History of the Oyster River Enhancement Society (“ORES”)

---

  TThe Oyster River was once a prolific producer of salmon, trout and steelhead, famous for its sportfishing, but beginning in the 1960s, poor logging practices and commercial overfishing decimated fish populations.  Estimated fish numbers in the early 1980's were very low: coho 1,000; chinook a handful; pinks 2-500; chum 50-200; steelhead 500 and cutthroat 500. 

With the help of a generous donation from John and Marie Ferguson, ORES was incorporated in 1983 as a British Columbia Society, with the mandate to “enhance, restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat of the Oyster River watershed.” The core of ORES has been its volunteer membership of up to 350, of whom 50 to 60 actively carry out the work needed to operate ORES’ salmon hatchery in Bear Creek Nature Park.

  The history begins in 1962 when philanthropist Barrett Montfort donated 1,746 acres (of which 160 would become the park) to The University of British Columbia for agriculture and research. In 2005, UBC sold these holdings to a local farming company. One of the conditions of the sale was that the company would let ORES continue to operate its hatchery. In 2012, the farming company sold what is now the Bear Creek Nature Park to Ducks Unlimited and the Comox Valley Regional District. Five parties provided the funds to buy the land. In alphabetical order, they were: the Comox Valley Regional District, Ducks Unlimited, The Government of Canada, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and a local philanthropist. The Comox Valley Regional District lets ORES operate its hatchery in the wetlands of the park, which occupy about 60 acres of the park’s total area. ORES owes its presence in the park to the generosity of individuals, the help of different levels of government and charities, and the tireless efforts of its volunteers. 

  Since 1996, in a typical year 30,000 to 50,000 spawning pink, coho, chinook, and chum salmon return to the Oyster River. During this time we have expanded our incubation facilities, adding moist incubators for incubating eggs, and additional Heath trays for rearing of fry. We have also added several round holding tanks which help avoid injury to broodstock fish.

Under our current hatchery manager Lyle Edmunds, our operations have been improved and modernized. We have upgraded our power system with additional solar panels (there is no public power available at the site), and an automated backup generator. For the safety of our volunteers, we have sponsored first aid training for designated members, and have installed a cellphone booster at the hatchery building. Along with our broodstock capture, we participate in ongoing scientific collaborations with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and with local research groups.

Over a number of years, through the "Stream to Sea Program - Salmonids in the Classroom" program and with guidance and support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, ORES has coordinated with a few schools in the local area to grow Coho salmon eggs in DFO-provided aquariums, where the students can observe the eggs evolve into free swimming fry. We then lead a discussion regarding the salmon lifecycle and the effects of the environment on the health and development of the fish. When the fish are ready, the students bring them to the hatchery on a field trip and release them to continue their life cycle. 

ORES also supports the Provincial Youth and Ecological Restoration Program.  We host students of this program on most volunteer days.  They help out with fish feeding, screen cleaning, and they learn about watershed ecology.

The Oyster River Enhancement Society has been blessed over the years with many thoughtful committed people, hardworking and resourceful.  With partnership and community funding and support, ORES has helped the Oyster River become one of the most productive volunteer-driven salmon producers on Vancouver Island.