Peter Gray Parr Project

WHY THE PETER GRAY PARR PROJECT & STREAMSIDE HATCHERY ARE UNIQUE

 

Peter Gray, the legendary British fisheries biologist, created one of the most impressive wild Atlantic salmon restoration programs in the 170-year history of Atlantic salmon conservation. Through his innovative rearing conditions in his unique streamside hatchery, he was able to strengthen salmon for survival during their epic oceanic journey.

 

Over three decades, Gray’s efforts increased salmon returns on England’s River Tyne from 724 to over 13,000 adults. Peter Gray personally trained the biologists working on the Peter Gray Parr Project and he was actively involved in the project’s launch back in 2012.

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One of the cornerstones of Gray’s methodology was a streamside hatchery that incorporates flowing river water from the salmon’s natal river. As the Peter Gray Parr Project is focused on improving runs of Downeast salmon, acquiring land and building the Peter Gray Hatchery on a Downeast river was key. In addition to the unique internal and state-of-the-art interior, the hatchery is partially solar powered and eco-friendly.