Pyke Phish Farm

Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne

PO Box 1645

Cornwall, Ont K6H 5V6

(613) 551-1971

March 11, 2009

Pyke Phish Farm is a non profit business that has been involved in fish farming activities on a volunteer basis since 1985. Our prime objective when starting was to show that fish could be raised in polluted water without acquiring any of the contaminants. Since that time, we have expanded our focus to fertilizing eggs of walleye, and would like to further expand to include perch as well. Our objective in the near future is to start an indoor hatchery system that would help us distribute not only fertilized eggs to the surrounding rivers of the community, but also fingerlings (2-3 inch). Our success has been measured by an increase in the amount of smaller walleye being caught by fisherman year round in the surrounding rivers.  Pyke Phish Farm fish project will benefit the community by ensuring the population of walleye and perch fisheries will be here for generations to come. The indoor hatchery would not only benefit the northern and southern portions of Akwesasne, but also surrounding communities that fish, because fish have no borders. The benefits of increasing this food source will also help to change the diet of many in the community that are now dependant on processed foods. It would also allow the continued teaching of a very important aspect of our culture, fishing, to future generations.