The San Juan Islands Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers donated the proceeds from its 2011 Resurrection Salmon Derby to Long Live the Kings’ Glenwood Springs Hatchery today.
The $6,900 donation represents $100 out of each $400 entry fee for the 69 teams that entered the tournament this year.
The funds will go toward keeping the hatchery program going amid state and federal funding cuts. Representatives from the derby hope to show the importance of propagating vital salmon stocks through healthy hatchery practices, as well as habitat restoration. Glenwood Springs is a pioneer in “natural rearing” salmon producing techniques that mimic nature.
Each year the facility hosts hundreds of guests from school, camp, and tour groups. The hatchery made news earlier in the year with an unprecedented return of 2,200 chinook salmon, many topping 30 pounds.
Friday Harbor’s Resurrection Derby is the last stop of the year for the Northwest Salmon Derby Series.
