Herring Spawn in Parksville Qualicum Beach
The herring spawn (aka herring run) in March is one of our area's most exciting - and unfortunately, short-lived - spectacles.
What makes it special is the turning of the ocean colour to a unique turquoise, seemingly endless colonies of birds, easily spotted wildlife like bald eagles and sea lions, and many, many fishing boats.
The herring boats are out fishing. I love the tidal pools and all the seagulls feasting on the beach. This is classic Parksville!
Every year, we're left curious to know more about the swarm of activity. So this year, we asked, Jeff Belveal, a 3rd generation commercial fisherman, for more insight into this Spring-launching show in Parksville Qualicum Beach. Here's what we learned from him. The flurry of herring spawn activity tends to only last a few days. It's difficult to make plans to be in the right place at the right time to take it all in as the schedule is Mother Nature's. About all that can be said with some certainty is that it will almost definitely happen in March.
What a sight to watch, the seagulls and sea lions chasing each other up and down the coast trying to catch their feast during the herring run in French Creek
...the herring begin to swim in more intense schools and move closer to the shore where marine plants such as eelgrass and kelp can be found to spawn on.- Sharyn Sadauskas
What Type of Fishing Boats are Used During the Herring Spawn?
Thousands of the laid eggs will never become herring larvae as birds and mammals consider this a meal set out for feasting. Of course, the wildlife are not the only ones who will enjoy the harvest. That brings us to the fishing boats.
The sight of dozens of fishing boats just off our shores, so close that you can hear the rattle of the nets, is captivating. The herring fishery's goal is to catch the herring when the roe are at peak maturity and still inside the female fish. Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans determines who can fish and when. There are two different types of boats that will participate and both are not necessarily given the go-ahead at the same time. Gill netters will fish shallow waters close to shore and seine boats work in deeper waters.
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