Hatchery braces for cuts as DFO looks to trim 15 percent

After a couple years of stalwart support from the federal government, the crew at Mossom Creek Hatchery is readying for a sea change.

Research projects have been paid for and staff support has been provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, noted, Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society president Kevin Ryan.

“We have no complaints right now,” he said.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is looking to “identify savings of approximately 15 percent of its spending base,” according to a DFO statement to the Dispatch.

In order to make those cuts, DFO is set to target programs that are not aligned with government priorities or generally performing poorly.

Ryan said he’s expecting news on how the budget cuts will impact the hatchery later this month.

“What I’m hoping for in this budget is that they don’t change anything,” Ryan said. “Right now it’s perfect.”

The timing of the potential funding change is arriving at a sensitive time, Ryan said. The hatchery is entering the third year of a five-year research project designed to track the journey of young coho using acoustic transmitters.

“We’re just starting to see the numbers come back,” Ryan said.

However, a substantial budget could could have serious impacts.

“It could kill the ongoing research projects,” Ryan said.

The DFO did not directly answer the Dispatch’s question about maintaining support for community hatcheries.

“Comprehensive expenditure reviews are underway and information about specific programs and funds will be available in due course,” DFO stated.

Despite cuts on the horizon, Ryan said he still has “a little bit of hope.”

“Community hatcheries are probably the most economical thing the government has because most of the work is done for free,” Ryan said.

In 2025, the hatchery launched an endowment fund in an effort to help pay for their operations.