The Pacific Herring Spawn

Last March, I was preparing to shoot a tourism project for Parksville Qualicum Beach.

The goal was to document the Pacific Herring Spawn on Vancouver Island. We were only two, each responsible for both photos and video, so the workload was already intense. Then I had an idea. What if I made it even harder for myself by also shooting it on black and white film?

What Is the Herring Spawn?

Each spring, from late February to early April, millions of Pacific Herring arrive along the coast of Vancouver Island to spawn. The females lay eggs (roe) in kelp and seaweed. Soon after, the males rush in to release milt that turns the water a cloudy teal.

This natural event brings in a wave of marine life. Gulls, eagles, and sea lions are the first to arrive. Then, humpback whales return from their warm-season migrations in Hawaii. And finally, Bigg’s orcas appear. These transient killer whales hunt sea lions and other marine mammals, closely following the spawn.

It is one of the best times of year to witness marine wildlife from the shore or on the water. As interest in the event has grown, new wildlife tours have emerged. That’s how we ended up there, spending a week shooting thousands of photos and hours of footage for a film that’s now in post-production.