Sea Birds at the Pacific Herring Spawn

Dawn March 16, 2024 at Rathtrevor Beach, Vancouver Island.

Each spring, peaking in March, the Pacific Herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) return to protected inlets on the coast of British Columbia to spawn.

Female herring lay up to 20,000 eggs, which are fertilized when they are laid. On contact with water, the eggs become very sticky, and attach themselves to whatever they come into contact with.

The event draws thousands of marine birds and mammals to feed on the nutritious bounty.

VancouverIsland.com – Pacific Herring Spawning

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