The Pacific herring spawn: A photo essay
Each Spring, vast schools of Pacific herring migrate from offshore waters to the waters close to shore. They come to these protected areas for one reason: To spawn.
At this time, the females’ eggs (roe) are at their peak maturity. The male herring release their sperm (milt) into the water to fertilize the released roe. This creates a stunning turquoise color in the ocean. The process happens over the course of a few days, moving locations as the herring travel. During this time, there is a veritable bonanza in terms of wildlife, commercial fishing and of course, photo opportunities!
The challenge
I had never photographed the herring spawn before, so I made an effort this year to document it. It can be difficult to predict the exact location and time of the spawn as, ultimately, it’s up to Mother Nature. I kept my eyes on a few websites that track the spawn in anticipation of it arriving. It almost always occurs in March in the Georgia Strait, off of Vancouver Island, BC, (where I live).
