2nd place
"Jenna Boudreau, My Fish Tale   "

There is never a dull moment in the Cascapedia region.
Though it may seem to be a quiet calm area. I know otherwise.
I especially know how crazy it can be at the main office of the magnificent Cascapedia River.
It being one of the top ten rivers in the world. I know how important salmon are, and that we should do everything we can to help preserve these beautiful animals.
Well, I got the chance to do just that on August 2^nd, 2005.

      A typical day at the Society office, it was almost closing time, which meant cleaning up and feeding our little baby fish which we have in an aquarium.
They are on a strict feeding schedule, and it is important that it be followed.
Before we leave the office at night is one of the times we feed them, and on this particular day I was the one who planned on giving them their supper.
I have fed them numerous times, so this time would be no different, or so I thought.

      As I approached the tank I started my usual cooing to the fish , telling them they were smart for swimming so strongly. As I opened the small compartment on top to give them their food, I put the food container down, still chatting with these precious babies. Little did I know that I was on the verge of almost killing them.

       You see, the container ended up spilling into the fish tank, causing quiet a commotion for the next two hours.
I reacted right away, knowing the fish would die unless I did something. Soon enough the food began to cloud over the aquarium, making it hard to see the fish.
I quickly told my co-workers what had happened, and frantically made phone calls to my other co-workers to come and help us out.
Within minutes there were five people around me, helping to take the fish out and put them in a pail of water while the aquarium was being cleaned and fresh water was being sought out.
Needless to say I had put myself and my co-workers in quiet a position, one I would NEVER get myself into again.

     After the tank was cleaned, rinsed and ready for the fish we had to acclimatize the little buggers.
This meant they had to be accustomed to the water temperature of the tank before they were allowed to return home.
They could go into shock if we put them in the tank directly from the pail of water they were put in, and that was all I needed.
By the time they were put back in the aquarium the clock struck nine p.m. The incident had occurred at seven.
It took two hours from the time I overfed them to the time we had them back in a clean tank that suited their needs. It was quiet the situation.

      Having that happen to me made me realize how lucky I am to have had the help I needed to save the baby salmon.
I also realized just how important these fish really are, for I never thought I would be spending two hours trying to save their lives.
All I can say is when they are put back in the river to be full grown salmon, there better be  a 50 pounder among them .

                                                                                              Jenna Boudreau