Residents of Lionʼs Bay were astounded and excited in 2010 when 100 dolphins were seen feeding and frolicking in Howe Sound. In 2011, on November 10, they were even more astounded when 300 dolphins appeared! The reason for this dramatic upsurge appears to be the increase in herring in Howe Sound.
Jonn Matsen, Squamish Streamkeepers Herring Recovery Coordinator believes that the recent dolphin show indicates that the first school of upper Howe Sound herring has arrived to spawn.
However, these early herring arrivals wonʼt be ripe enough to spawn until February. The main run that comes in March will be ready to spawn immediately on arrival at the Squamish river estuary in 2012.
These herring spawn mainly in the intertidal zone on rock weed (bladder wrack), rocks, creosote pilings and concrete pilings. The eggs on creosote pilings die while the eggs on the other materials have a good chance of hatching out. The Squamish Streamkeepers have wrapped several hundred of the creosote pilings under the Squamish Terminals wharf allowing these eggs to survive, greatly contributing to the increase in Howe Sound herring.
Recently a second Howe Sound herring run has been discovered. Douglas Swanston of Seacology found spawn below the tidal zone last February 10 on one of the Defence Islands. This deep spawn could explain why fishermen have always found balls of herring around the Defence Islands even when Squamish herring had disappeared in the 1970ʼs. He found herring roe in the one place that he looked so there could be much more in the area.
One of our goals in 2012 is to identify and quantify all the herring spawning areas in Section 28 which includes Howe Sound, Burrard inlet, False Creek and Indian Arm. This should allow further enhancement of these neglected stocks in the future.
We would like boaters throughout these areas to check the rock weed (bladderwrack) and other spawn able materials in their area from February to April, every one to two weeks at lowest tides looking for the small white dots that are herring eggs.
Areas where herring have spawned before including the Squamish estuary and Defence Islands are located around Fisherman's Cove, Long Bay on Gambier, Twin Islands near Gambier, Porteau, Horseshoe Bay, Snug Cove on Bowen, north edge of the old Britannia customs dock, and numerous places near Gibson's.
If you see eggs, please email Jack Cooley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 604-898-5196, giving a description of where and when. Boaters in Burrard inlet, Indian Arm and False Creek etc will be doing the same as herring spawn sporadically in False Creek and Burrard inlet. If intertidal spawn is seen we will try to get divers in the area to see if there is deep spawn as well.
If things go well with this year's study we hope to make a proposal to do a small transplant of roe from the Squamish estuary to another part of Howe Sound that had spawn before but lost it long ago.
If anyone wishes to donate to this noble cause the money will be used to pay Douglas Swanston to dive on deep spawn sites and film and record them.
Herring are Critical for Sea Mammals, Fish and Bird Life Letʼs Bring Them Back
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