SMAMS students recently helped transfer nearly 12,000 of the school’s fish to the Domtar fish nursery to be monitored over the summer. Show in the photo are students (top row, left to right) Kyle Hadley, Kristi Wendel and Miranda Wurm along with Lacey Hanes, Gina Serafini, Tyler Yetzer and Larissa Chicola in front. Domtar personnel assisting with the project included Rick Zelehoski, Zane Zelehoski, Greg Mellquist, Marty Ogden and Ron King along with John Gordon, who oversaw the transfer from inside the plant’s fish nursery.

By Amy Cherry
Daily Press Staff

    St. Marys Area Middle School students recently helped transfer nearly 12,000 trout from the school’s nursery to the Domtar fish nursery, where they will be monitored over the summer months while school is not in session.

    “We have been involved with SMAMS since they started their nursery,” according to Ron King of Domtar.

    The fish transfer is done annually, with both entities teaming up with the PA Fish and Boat Commission, that transfer the fish via tanker truck.

    This year there were 5,900 brook trout, 5,800 brown trout and 100 golden trout moved from the middle school.

    The co-op program between Domtar and the PA Fish and Boat Commission began in 1992. The state provides the fish fingerlings, technical assistance and any medication if required, while Domtar furnishes the feed and performs any necessary repairs to the facility.

    In 2004, Domtar (formerly known as Weyerhaeuser) received the Allegheny Forest and PA Forest Management Award for their Cooperative Fish Nursery.

    Plant employees who are members of The Fish and Nursery Club play an integral part in the program, as they assist with the stocking of fish in local streams. King noted there is no other use for the fish raised other than to be used in stockings.

    In 2006 Domtar initiated a Tagged Trout Program, where 100 fish were tagged and placed in local streams throughout the first several weeks of fishing season. Fishermen called the phone number on the tag to receive a prize consisting of a Domtar hat and gift cards of varying dollar amounts.

    In utilizing the nursery, Domtar sponsors a fishing derby for employees and their families each year.

    In addition several times a year, the nursery hosts events for Pinecrest residents where they spend several hours fishing in Johnsonburg. The club also hosts tours for Special Olympians.