This is the sixth West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) Herring update for the 2022 season.
Herring spawn reconnaissance flights occurred on March 5 and 8. On March 5 a previously reported spawn was observed at Stubbs Isl. near Tofino and spawn continues in parts of Hesquiat Harbour. Several spot spawns were observed at Nuchatlitz, a continuation of the spawn first observed on March 3. On March 8 spawns were observed east of Beano Creek and in Friendly Cove at Nootka Sound as well as along the Catala Island shoreline and Rolling Roadstead opposite Catala Island in Esperanza Inlet. Spawn continues in parts of Hesquiat Harbour.
The next Herring spawn reconnaissance flight is scheduled for March 10 and is weather dependent.
Dive teams aboard the Pachena #1 will commence surveying spawns in Hesquiat Harbour on March 9.
The test vessel Proud Canadian is currently assessing in Barkley Sound. This seine test vessel will collect whole Herring samples under scientific licence throughout the major stock assessment area (Areas 23-25) for 21 days in 2022. No fish will be retained for sale.
Area 23 Barkley Sound
The test vessel Proud Canadian has sounded approximately 4,000 tons in Area 23.
TEST:Mar 8 am on 100 tons 0.5 mi N. Food Ilt;7.7%;19.0cm;71:50;45-1-4-0-0;(16.9gm:82.2gm)
No spawn observed to date.
Area 24 Clayoquot Sound
The test vessel Proud Canadian has sounded approximately 1,500 tons in Area 24.
TEST:Mar 6 pm on 500 tons 0.5 mi W. Starling Pt;8.7%;19.7cm;52:44;42-1-1-0-0;(20.4 gm:98.8 gm)
TEST:Mar 6 pm on 100 tons at Driver Pt;9.7%;18.7cm;55:54;53-0-1-1-1;(19.3 gm:91.0 gm)
March 8 - 1.0 nm at Hesquiat Pt.
March 7 - 0.5 nm at Opitsat
March 5 - 3.0 nm in Hesquiat Hbr
March 4 - 0.5 nm S. of Rondeault Pt.
March 4 - 1.0 nm at Stubbs Island
March 3 - 1.0 nm in Hesquiat Harbour.
March 1 - spot spawn observed in Matilda Inlet.
Feb 28 - 2.5 nm of spawn observed in Hesquiat Harbour.
Feb 25 - 2.0 nm of spawn observed in Hesquiat Harbour.
Feb 22 - spot spawn reported in the vicinity of Ahousaht.
Feb 11 - small spawn observed in Hesquiat Harbour.
Area 25 Nootka Sound
The test vessel Proud Canadian has sounded approximately 15,000 tons at Nootka Sound.
March 8 - 1.0 nm of spawn observed W. of Beano Cr.
March 8 - 0.25 nm of spawn observed at Friendly Cove.
March 4 - 0.5 nm of spawn reported at Bajo Rf.
Area 25 Esperanza Inlet
The test vessel Proud Canadian has sounded approximately 8,000 tons in Esperanza Inlet.
March 8 - 0.5 nm of spawn at Rolling Roadstead.
March 6 - 1.5 nm of spawn at Catala Isl.
March 5 - Spot spawns at Nuchatlitz.
March 3 - 3.0 nm of spawn at Nuchatlitz.
February 24 - 1.25 nm of spawn at Port Langford and Colwood Rks.