What is the Herring Enhancement Program?
| For many reasons the herring have not been successful in laying their eggs on natural vegetation in the ocean plus, creosote on dock pilings kills the eggs. The goal of the Herring Enhancement Program (HEP 2022) is to increase the probability of egg survival by providing fabric curtains hung in the ocean where herring are known to frequent. Usually beside docks for easy access, the curtains have floats along the top and weights along the bottom to suspend them above the ocean bed at low tide.
Presentation by Mike Price. Mike Price has had a long career in municipal infrastructure, working for the City of Scarborough, and as the General Manager of Toronto Water. Retired now, he has a keen interest in the Environment and is a member of two Rotary International Action Groups.
Recorded Sunday June 5, 2022.
Additional resources:
We Are the Herring – This is Our Story
3:41 | Hornby Island Conservancy
This film follows the journey of Pacific herring over thousands of years and reminds us of the important ecological, cultural, and economic role of this foundational species that are currently on the brink of collapse.
Pacific Herring: Small Fish, Big Problem
5:58 | Hornby Island Conservancy
Conservation groups are calling for an immediate closure of the herring fishery in the Strait of Georgia.
Related links
Pacific herring 2021-2022: Integrated fisheries management plan summary
Government of Canada DFO