03/25/2026
This is the thirteenth West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) Herring spawn survey update for the 2026 season.
Please note that under the 2025/2026 Pacific Herring IFMP, commercial seine and gill net roe herring fisheries in the West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) major and minor stock assessment areas in Pacific Fishery Management Areas (PFMAs) 23 to 25 and 27 are closed for the 2026 season, while commercial spawn-on-kelp Herring fisheries are open. A five Nations right-based sale (open pond) spawn-on-kelp fishery opened on February 27th (see FN0207).
Area 23 – Barkley Sound:
The test vessel sounded approximately 1,500 tons in Area 23 from February 20 to February 21.
The test vessel sounded approximately 3,200 tons in Area 23 from March 5 to March 6.
TEST: February 20pm on 80tons; St Ines I; 9%; 20.9cm; 47:37; 28-4-1-4-1; (32.8g:115.1g)
TEST: February 21am on 100tons; Spilling It; 7.3%; 20.5cm; 39:45; 28-6-4-6-3; (26.2g:107.0g)
TEST: March 5am on 40tons, not representative; Chrow I; 4.6%; 17.5cm; 67:25; 26-7-25-9-9; (17.7g:69.9g)
TEST: March 6am on 200tons; Robinson I; 8.6%; 18.2cm; 63:47; 36-5-6-2-3; (24.3g:86.6g)
TEST: March 6pm on 150tons; Alma Russel Is; 10.3%; 19.7cm; 59:40; 36-3-2-1-2; (29.1g:98.4g)
February 1: Unconfirmed spawn reported in Mayne Bay
February 19: Spawn observed between Mussel Beach and Maggie River and at Forbes I
February 19: Spawn identified via satellite image at Brady Beach and Breaker Beach near Bamfield
February 20: Spawn observed at Spilling and Rowland Its
February 22: Spawn observed at Eagle Bay (aka Scott Bay) near Bamfield
March 1: Spawn reported at Alma Russel Is
March 2: Spawn observed at Alma Russel Is
March 4: Spawn observed on the Vancouver Island shoreline north of the Alma Russel Is
March 5: Washed out spawn observed at Alma Russel Is
March 8: A large plankton bloom was observed in Vernon Bay and throughout Imperial Eagle Channel. A possible spawn is suspected in Vernon Bay and we are seeking confirmation via spawn rake.
Area 24 – Clayoquot Sound:
The test vessel sounded approximately 4,100 tons in Clayoquot Sound between February 22 and February 24.
The test vessel sounded approximately 950 tons in Clayoquot Sound between March 3 and March 4.
TEST: February 23am on 200tons; Openit Peninsula; 11.3%; 20.6cm; 38:42; 37-4-1-1-0; 30.4g:122.5g)
February 21: Spawn reported at Cougar I near Clifford Pt
March 1: Spawn observed at Stubbs I
March 1: Spawn observed at Whitesand Cove and near Kutcous Pt
March 2: Spawn observed at Stubbs I
March 2: Spawn observed at Wickaninnish I
March 2: Spawn observed at Mud Bay
March 2: Spawn observed from Kutcous Pt to Cow Bay
March 2: Spawn observed at Opitsat and Stockham I
March 2: Spawn observed from Chetarpe to Kraan Head
March 4: Spawn observed at Red Rocks
March 4: Spawn observed NE of Mud Bay and along the south shoreline of Vargas I
March 4: Spawn observed at Yates Pt
March 4: Spawn observed in Elbow Bank and Maurus Channel
March 4: Spawn observed at Opitsat
March 4: Spawn observed near Chetarpe
March 4: Spawn observed on the east shore of Vargas I north of Moser Pt
March 5: Spawn observed at Elbow Bank and Maurus Channel
March 5: Spawn observed in Matilda Inlet
March 5: Spawn observed on the NE shore of McNeil Peninsula
March 5: Spawn observed at Kraan Head
March 5: Spawn observed in front of Mud Bay and its adjacent shoreline near Yarksis
March 8: Spawn observed on the N shore of Vargas I
March 13: Spawn observed at Wickaninnish I
March 20: Spawn reported on the N shore of Vargas I
Area 24 – Hesquiat Harbour:
February 16: Spawn identified via satellite image at Rondeau Pt
February 17 and 18: Spawn observed at Antons Spit
February 18: Spawn observed near Matlahaw Pt
February 24: Spawn identified via satellite image from Rondeau Pt to Hesquiat Pt
February 25: Spawn observed at Le Claire Pt and along the NE shore to Boat Basin
February 26: Spawn observed continuing near Boat Basin
February 28: Spawn observed from Antons Spit to Matlahaw Pt
March 1: Washed out spawn observed from Antons Spit to Matlahaw Pt
Area 25 – Nootka Sound:
The test vessel sounded approximately 650 tons in Nootka Sound between February 24 and February 25.
The test vessel sounded approximately 2,400 tons in Nootka Sound between March 1 and March 2.
TEST: March 1am on 100 tons, not representative; San Miguel I; 9.6%; 19.3cm; 61:42; 37-3-2-3-1; (26.3g:94.0g)
TSET: March 1am on 70 tons, not representative; Friendly Cove; 10.2%; 19.6cm; 53:45; 40-3-2-45-2-0; (25.5g:100.4g)
March 1: Spawn observed at Bajo Reef
March 2: Spawn observed at Escalante Rocks
March 2: Spawn observed at Friendly Cove
March 2: Spawn observed from Beano Creek to near Skuna Bay
March 4: Spawn observed near Skuna Bay
March 4: Spawn observed at Santa Gertrudis Cove
Area 25 – Esperanza Inlet:
The test vessel sounded approximately 1,400 tons in Esperanza Inlet between February 25 and February 28.
TEST: February 28am on 5 tons, not representative; Flower I; 0.3%; 19.4cm; 5:13; 1-3-8-98-7; (23.3g:81.2g)
February 24: Spawn observed in Port Langford
February 25: Spawn observed at Rosa Harbour and Nuchatlitz
February 27: Spawn observed on the SE side of Catala I
February 27: Spawn observed along the Nootka Island shoreline near Owossitsa Creek
February 27: Spawn observed at Nuchatlitz
March 2: Spawn observed at Nuchatlitz
March 2: Spawn observed on the NW side of Catala I
March 8: Spawn observed at Nuchatlitz
March 13: Spawn observed at Nuchatlitz
Area 27 – Quatsino Sound:
February 17: Spawn identified via satellite image at Hazard Pt
February 19: Spawn identified via satellite image at Flint Rock and in Side Bay on the NE side of Mayday I
March 1: Spawn identified via satellite image at the entrance to Klaskino Inlet
Test Program:
The F/V Ocean Achiever is the seine test vessel selected to collect biological samples for Herring stock assessment throughout the WCVI major stock assessment area (PFMAs 23 to 25) for 15 days in 2026. The vessel has concluded its charter for this season.
The primary objective of the Herring test seine vessel program is to collect Herring biological samples from within the WCVI major stock assessment area for stock assessment purposes. Herring location, abundance estimates, and biological samples are collected as part of the stock assessment program and does not cover all areas. Formal scientific estimates of stock abundance will be available in the post-season from dive surveys measuring egg deposition and biological samples collected from the test vessel(s). In-season tonnage estimates from soundings are not used to determine quotas, however sounding estimates and roe quality data can be used by Fishery Managers and harvesters to inform fishery implementation. No fish will be retained for sale.
Test Set Code: Date; Location; roe yield; fish size; males:females; #1- #2- #3- - ; (roe weight g: fish weight g)
Spawn Surveys:
A vessel-based dive team aboard the F/V Pachena 1 has concluded an 18-day charter.
A shore-based dive team aboard the Seaveyor 1 has concluded a 17-day charter.
First Nation contractors will be conducting Herring spawn reconnaissance, sample collection, supplemental surface spawn surveys and FSC catch monitoring within the WCVI major stock assessment area.
Flight Program:
No active spawn was observed during the flight on March 23rd. There are no further Herring spawn flights planned at this time.
