Coho salmon are now returning to spawn in Burnaby waterways, but their numbers aren't as strong as this season's chum return.
"We have a total count of 54 coho, live and dead, so far this year. This is what I consider an average return for Stoney Creek, compared to an exceptionally good or even record year for chum," said Roger Dyer, a member of the Stoney Creek Environment Committee.
According to Dyer, the last two years saw roughly 250 and 150 coho, but in previous years, those counts ranged from 25 to 60.
"Usually the coho run is winding down at this point and we see very few fish by early December," Dyer said.
The two types of salmon have different lifecycles.
Coho spend a year in freshwater before heading to the open ocean, while chum hatch in spring and move to saltier waters within a few months.
Lower Fraser coho typically return after three years, while chum come back after four.
Chum and coho also look and behave differently. While chum have blotchy, red and green stripes down their sides, coho take on a darker colour with reddish flanks when they hit freshwater. Chum tend to be more visible and spawn in the lower reaches of Stoney Creek, while the coho hide under logs and plants and are harder to spot.
So next time you are walking out in the woods close to a local creek, keep your eyes peeled for spawners.
INCLUSIVE AWARD
Do you know someone who has made his or her community a more welcoming place for people with disabilities? The Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion has awards for just that, and the local non-profit is looking for nominee suggestions from the public.
The Inclusion through Innovation awards recognize people or organizations that advance inclusion for people with disabilities in Metro Vancouver. The deadline for submissions packages is Monday, Dec. 17. For a nomination package, email [email protected] or call 604299-7851.
Have an item for Here & Now? Send it to jmoreau@ burnabynow.com.
