Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project

Hatchery Financial Update By Larry Wolf

Each year our chairman, Al Smith, usually gives an update on the financial condition of the Hatchery. New this year, I will try and give an update of where we are and what our financial goals are each year. In many of our prior years, there where large capital improvement projects that increased our budget. Most of our capital improvements have already been completed. Our annual budget is much easier to forecast since most of our expenses are fairly fixed.

Our annual budget is approximately $120,000.00 each year. We currently receive about 50% of our budget from grants and donations from state and local government agencies. In 2005 we received a great return of private donations and matching contributions from companies whose employees made donations. For 2006 we have seen most of our private donations from the public reduced by 75%.

We believe that much of this slow down was due to the damages caused by the many hurricanes last summer and their great need for donations. There are many needs around us and there is only so much money one can give. Our hatchery project requires us to have enough funding to last an entire year before we capture and spawn next year’s fish. We barely have enough for next year and we need your donations to carry us forward.

I urge all of you over the next few months to renew your membership with MBSTP and ask your friends to get involved with the only private non-profit fish hatchery south of the Smith River. With your continued commitment and donations we stand out like a beacon in the night. Our project’s success helps ensure the return of Steelhead Trout and Coho Salmon to all of our local streams. If any of you have suggestions or thoughts about how to improve our operation, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. I am looking forward to seeing you at the Albacore Dinner.

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