Coastside Net Pen Build

Every year the Coastside Fishing Club builds a net pen to acclimate salmon smolts prior to releasing them into Half Moon Bay. The sudden shock of being dumped into salt water makes them easy prey so the acclimation increases the survival rate substantially. The smolts are from the Mokelumne Hatchery, and their returns have been fantastic in spite of all the water issues.

The club needs help with the build so if you have time Saturday May 18 it would be greatly appreciated. The serve a light breakfast, and a full BBQ lunch after the build. With a lot of hands it goes easy and fast. The build is at the HMB boat ramp. I’ve been helping out for about 5 years now, and it’s a fun event.

From Coastside:

“May 18th Pen Build, 8 am for Food, 9am for work . Pillar Point Harbor, need 30 able bodies and the usual tools 3/4 inch wrenches and sockets spud wrench, sun protection, eye protection, knee pads, gloves etc. “

Hi Mark

Thank you for coordinating great work. I'm sorry, but I can't participate. I have a family meeting in LA that weekend.

Paul

Great project, Mark.  I wish I was closer.

I’ve helped out in the past and will plan to be there this year.

For you DIY’ers, the pen is a huge PVC pipe construct. One of the Coastside folks figured it out a while back.  It reminds me of a giant version of the kayak rack I built in my backyard.

I'm always amazed that even with a relatively short time in the pens the smolts are able to imprint on HMB and return as adults to try to spawn, with really nowhere to go.

-Allen

I'm always amazed that even with a relatively short time in the pens the smolts are able to imprint on HMB and return as adults to try to spawn, with really nowhere to go.

-Allen

This has always amazed and baffled me, as well.  I also think about their return, thinking, "wtf... now what?!" right before that big sea lion hurls them through the air 

I'm always amazed that even with a relatively short time in the pens the smolts are able to imprint on HMB and return as adults to try to spawn, with really nowhere to go.

-Allen

This has always amazed and baffled me, as well.  I also think about their return, thinking, "wtf... now what?!" right before that big sea lion hurls them through the air 

Right before a big old hook rakes them across the back ...

-Allen

Plenty of them return to the hatchery.

Reminder that the build is tomorrow.

Great work , Mark and all that volunteer.

The take down is this Saturday at 8:00am. Same as the build light breakfast, and then hamburgers when done. A total of 750,000 smolts were delivered, and are now out in the ocean. The take down goes a little faster than the build.

Hope to see some fellow kayakers there