Exotic and Hybrid Species 

 (a) Pacific Chum Salmon 



This year approximately 1,000,000 chum salmon eyed eggs were 

 secured from the Fisheries Department of the State of V/ashlngton In 

 November, 195^, and cultured at the Port Arthur hatchery prior to sub- 

 sequent transfer and planting in the eyed egg stage In the Mlshamattawa 

 and the Wlnlsk Rivers of the Hudson Bay drainage and. In the finger ling 

 stage. In the Attawaplskat River of the James Bay watershed. 



The eyed egg plantings were made In mid- January. The stock 

 was planted in artificial gravel redds through large holes cut through 

 ice. 



Both plantings of approximately 211,500 eggs each were com- 

 pleted without mishap and sample lots, examined eighteen days after 

 planting, showed the stock to be in excellent condition and to be develop- 

 ing normally. 



The fingerling transfer and planting was completed in four trips 

 using the Department's Otter aircraft fitted with four aircraft fish tanks 

 and dropping equipment. The transfers were made during the latter part 

 of May and early June and the entire stock, of approximately ^49,550 fish, 

 were dropped from the air at two sites on the Attawaplskat River. No 

 positive check on the survival of this stock was possible at the time of 

 planting. However, close examination of the waters during and after each 

 planting showed that the fish did disperse and disappear into deeper 

 water immediately on landing. 



The conclusion of this experiment will not be known before the 

 fall of 1957 at the earliest when the first of the adult chum salmon 

 may be expected to return to the stream in which they were planted. 

 However, the salt water phase of the life cycle of the chum salmon is 

 not specifically defined and the period of development to maturity, in 

 its natural environment, may extend from three to five years or more. 

 Furthermore, the behaviour of the fish Introduced to the more frigid 

 environment of Hudson and James Bay, is unknown, and, can only be deter- 

 mined if and when the experiment is successfully completed and the fish 

 are found on their return to freshwater to spawn. 



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