The Snootli Hatchery is receieving a massive upgrade. A $20.4 million investment over five years will modernize and refurbish aging infrastructure at the Snootli Creek Hatchery, which serves the B.C. Central Coast, and the associated Atnarko Spawning Channel. The facility has been in operation for more than 35 years and is in need of significant renewal to extend its operational life and enable it to operate more effectively and efficiently.
In addition to improving Snootli’s water supply system, as explained above, the investment will consolidate multiple buildings and infrastructure into a single complex; refurbish and replace salmon incubation and juvenile rearing structures; upgrade and modernize electrical and mechanical systems; improve energy efficiency; address health and safety issues and improve overall site security and flood protection.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, joined by Andrew Saxton, MP for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, and John Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, made the announcement in early October. In total, the Government of Canada is providing $34.2 million over five years to upgrade and renew salmon hatcheries and spawning channels operated by the federal government under the Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP).
The Coast Mountain News plans to do a more comprehensive story on the hatchery in the coming weeks.