Every year for a few short weeks the Herrings spawn. It is a bit early this year starting Feb 26. There are strict limits to the amount of Herring that can be caught.
The Gillnetters ( small boats) are given first chance and the men work hard taking their catch to the "Mother Ships" to be weighed and logged. The Seiners or trawlers opening is usually very short usually 24 -48 hours so they have to be reading for the signal to go wherever the spawn is heavy.
The water colour is quite natural, coloured by the herring spawn.
This is a very lucrative catch for the fishermen as the herring roe is a delicacy and carries a top $$.
The herring will spawn over a period of about a month all along the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Once the total quota set down by Fisheries Canada is reached the fishing is stopped.
We were lucky to have a call from a friend to tell us where the fleet was yesterday as they can be anywhere along the miles of coastline. And what a coast line:-)