Every year, a phenomenon occurs off Vancouver Island’s coastline that draws the attention of naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe—the herring spawn.
Between late February and early April, the coastline of the Salish Sea comes alive as one of the ocean’s most ecologically significant fish, the Pacific herring, begin their annual reproductive cycle.
Herring have returned to nearshore waters in massive numbers and have already begun to lay eggs and release milt, or sperm.
The milt is what transforms the surrounding waters into the iconic milky turquoise blue colour.
Coinciding with the herring spawn, this time of year frequently brings large colonies of birds, bald eagles and sea lions to the region—all of whom are linked to the Pacific herring in the coastal food chain.
As humans are also connected to herring and have relied on them as a food source on BC’s coast since time immemorial, there are a great number of fishing boats in the area during the spawning season.
The bulk of the herring spawn takes place from Comox to just south of Nanaimo.
Because Parksville and Qualicum Beach lie between these two regions, the area’s French Creek can often be viewed as centre stage for the spawn.
The herring spawn also takes place along the western coast of Vancouver Island with Ucluelet, Tofino and the Clayoquot Sound area often having their waters taken over by the fish this time of year.
See some photos of the annual Pacific Herring spawn below:
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