The Pacific herring spawn is one of the most remarkable natural events on the coast of Vancouver Island. Each spring, the water shifts from Pacific blue to milky turquoise as herring return to spawn, drawing gulls, sea lions, eagles, whales, and people to the shoreline. Though the event has gained more visibility in recent years, it belongs to a much older rhythm of the Salish Sea.

I first encountered the spawn during my first winter living on Vancouver Island. In March 2023, I drove to Qualicum Beach, following a road that had already become familiar. But when I reached the gentle slope down to the water, the bay looked different. A wide milky patch spread across the surface. The tide was low, and the shore was alive with flocks of seabirds. It felt far removed from the quiet winter beaches I had wandered over the previous months. I continued along the coast to Point Holmes in Comox, where I found a similar scene. What began as curiosity has become an ongoing project, with 2026 marking my third year actively seeking the spawn.

Through digital and analog photography, video, and field observations, this project will grow year by year. Each season brings a different thread: shifting locations, new wildlife encounters, and collaborations connected to the communities and conservation groups who care for this coastline.