Net Pen Project
Our Chapter holds 80,000 Chinook Fingerlings in 4 Pens at the Sensient Flavors Dock in the Harbor Beach Harbor each Spring for 3-6 weeks, starting in early to mid May. For the Spring of 2006 we will hold 80,000 Chinook Fingerling. Due to Chinook planting cuts in Lake Huron we were unable to increase to 120,000 fingerlings. We had a remarkable outcome in the 2005 project as we held 80,411 fish and had only 77 die in the pens before release. The project is made possible by donations of money from State Fishing Groups, fellow Steelheader Chapters and monies raised at our Pig Roast and Spring Outings. Members of our Chapter also put in a lot of time setting the pens up, feeding 4 times a day regardless of weather, removing and pressure washing the pens, nets, docks and storing all the equipment. Many thanks go out to them for their efforts to enhance our thumb fishery. Thanks also goes out to Jim Tenbusch Plant Manager, and the "Sensient Flavors Corp". for the use of their property to make this all happen.
Jim
Tenbusch, Plant Manager, "Sensient" and Greg Packer, President Thumb
Chapter, talk over the project.
John Bickel, Net Pen Chairman, works to
get dock sections ready to lower into the water.
Bob Jackson ready's the Nets on the Pens.
Many hands are necessary for project
success.
The Big Day!
Docks being placed in the water by Matt
Schott of Schott Excavating who offers his help when we set pens and
also pulls them each year when finished.
Pens being lowered into place
Pens In, final check out.
20,000 to 30,000 Fingerlings per Pen!
They all fit and do well.
Bob Jackson at the one of four everyday
feedings. The weather is not always this nice