Grand Haven Net Pen Project

 Every spring, for over 20 years, the Grand Haven and Grand Rapids Steelheaders have combined their efforts to carry out a successful net pen project. 2008 is no exception. The 4 net pens were put in place in a slip at the Grand Haven Municipal Marina on the Grand Haven Waterfront. 170,000 Chinook Salmon were delivered to the pens from the MDNR Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery on April 18. The fish are fed three times a day by volunteers and are fed and cared for until they smolt and loose their parr marks (vertical bars on the body). The fish are then released into the Grand River. Almost immediately the salmon will start feeding on their own, targeting fresh bug hatches, as they make their way out to Lake Michigan.

From a study conducted by the MDNR -  "Based on coded-wire tag data analysis from Michigan's studies during the 1990's, net pens in Lake Michigan tend to produce higher effective survival rates to the lake fishery than direct stockings to receiving waters.”  The results of these evaluations showed that fish cultured in net pens provide almost twice the survival rate of direct stockings. There is also a dramatic improvement in return rates with fish in the net pens compared to fish planted directly in the river

Being on the waterfront, the project always attracts onlookers strolling the boardwalk along the river. Mary Jane Belter, GH Chapter secretary, took on the task of having an interpretive sign for the project. Working with Earl Wolf, Office of Communications, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the sign became a reality. The text, graphics and photos show the life cycle of the Chinook Salmon, the hatchery process and the use and value of net pens. The Grand Haven Chapter received assistance with the funding for the sign from the Grand Haven Offshore Challenge. K&G Tool designed and created the base for the sign which was powdered coated by Seaver Industries of Grand Haven.

The Net Pen project would not be possible without all of our volunteers who help with the net repair, the placement of the nets in the water, when the fish arrive and then pulling and cleaning the nets for storage.

The Grand Haven and Grand Rapids Steelheaders also want to thank the following for their assistance: Steve VanPelt donated the use of his building when the nets were repaired, Rycenga Building Center donates the use of their boom truck to place the nets in the water and when the nets are pulled after the fish are released. The Grand Haven Charter Boat Association along with the Grand Haven Offshore Challenge contribute to the net pen fund established by the Grand Haven and Grand Rapids chapters. The fund covers costs associated with the project. The City of Grand Haven provides municipal support for the project. And finally, for the interpretive sign: thank you to Earl Wolf, MDNR, MDR Fisheries Division Staff, Kurt Gillespie of K&G Tool and Larry Staab of Seaver Finishing.

To view more photos of the project, visit the Grand Haven Steelheaders website at:  www.ghsteelheaders.com.

Grand Haven Offshore Challenge: www.grandhavenoffshorechallenge.com