Herring Return to Eastsound

For the second year in a row herring have spawned on the Eastsound waterfront. Volunteers from the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory collected eggs over the Easter weekend. The herring are mainly spawnng on seaweed (sargassum) and dwarf eel grass both non-native species. Though not native to Fishing Bay these species are gradually creating dense thickets that herring find attractive. It is not known whether there is any adverse impact to native species. Russel Barsh, Kwiaht ecogolgist, told volunteers "that as the Eastsound herring appear to be recovering this is the time to go gentle with Fishing Bay and Indian Island in order to give the herring and vegetation that supports them the best chance possible".