Biodiversity Northern Ireland

The Great Salmon Release

Pupils from Ballycraigy and St Joseph’s Primary Schools have seen their Salmon in the Classroom project come to fruition, when they released salmon fry into the Six Mile Water River last Wednesday (22 April 2009).

Ruth Wilson, Biodiversity Officer with Antrim Borough Council explains, “The pilot project, co-ordinated by Newtownabbey and Antrim Borough Councils, involved two schools from each council area.  The pupils learned about the biodiversity value of rivers and streams as habitats for fish, birds and mammal species as well as it being an important resource for people. The pupils also gained hands on experience by monitoring a small Atlantic Salmon fish hatchery in their classroom.”

Ruth continues, “Over the last few weeks, the Salmon eggs hatched into aelvin and developed into young fry. It was these fry that the children, joined by representatives from both councils, other government organisations and local businesses, released into the river.  It is hoped that this project will provide a vital education opportunity and that the children will encourage everyone to consider both the local and wider impacts of their everyday actions with regard to our local environment.”