"Chum" Come Home to Spanish Bank

November 1, 2004 – The daylighting of a salmon stream at Spanish Bank four years ago has paid off this year as over two dozen chum fish made their long journey home to spawn. Just last week the adult fish started to reappear demonstrating first hand one of nature's most intriguing mysteries.

In 1999 the Vancouver Park Board approved a proposal by the Vancouver Salmon and Stream Society, in conjunction with the West Point Grey Residents Association, to remove culverting on N.W. Marine Drive that drained a watershed within the University Endowment Lands. The proposal comprised the redevelopment of the stream bed with geotextile and cobble conducive to the initial release of salmon fry and the return of spawning adults. In total, ten parking spots were lost at Spanish Bank Park to make way for the new stream which cost $62,000 and was totally funded by the Society.

The week of November 1st will be an excellent time for Vancouver residents to observe the spawning salmon, the first time in over 80 years that this species of fish has naturally returned to one of the city's original salmon streams.

The salmon stream bisects one of the last parking lots located at Spanish Bank West. Lots of parking available

Read the Board Report of September 1999 for more information.

Check out other salmon stories BC Hydro Stream in Stanley Park .

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