News & Views Hatchery Operations
Local Indigenous tribe rebuilds old fish hatchery in Washington State

The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe (PGST) in Washington State completed its new fish hatchery and multi-purpose shelter this September. 

The new Little Boston Hatchery is located at the mouth of Little Boston Creek on Port Gamble Bay, about two hours from the city centre of Seattle, Wash., United States.

According to a report by the Kitsap Sun, the two-story hatchery and shelter will benefit the tribe’s more than 160 commercial fishermen and their families on the reservation who fish or harvest shellfish. The new hatchery was built at the same location as the original, replacing the dilapidated building originally built in 1977. The new design is meant to limit the operation’s environmental footprint.

“We basically rebuilt the hatchery building but with growth in mind,” said Abigail Welch, the program manager of PGST’s planning department, adding that the Little Boston Hatchery has a goal to raise over one million chum salmon eggs per season.

The rebuilding cost US$4.58 million in total, with $2.27 million funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Disaster Assistance grant. PGST paid for the remaining costs.

Apart from fishery activities, tribal members can also use the facility for community gatherings and other events.

There will be a welcoming and blessing ceremony for the new facility on Sept. 21.