Citizen science is helping restore herring populations in B.C.'s Howe Sound
CBC
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On a cold, rainy day in April, the hunt begins.
Courtney Smaha, project director for the Átl'ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative, and four others climb aboard a boat to head into Howe Sound (Átl'ḵa7tsem in Squamish), north of Vancouver, on the lookout for herring.
Now in its fourth year, this citizen science project is tracking the herring (Slhawt' in) that return from the Pacific Ocean in February and begin spawning.
"When there's herring, there's hope," Smaha told What On Earth host Laura Lynch. "During the time of the herring, it's a signifier of spring. And it brings nutrients to this area and with that, it brings other marine mammals like … the orcas, and that's overall … a key indicator of ecological health."
The conservation group's work is meant not only to benefit people but the sea creatures and water here in the southernmost fjord in North America. Toxic waste from industry, such as the now-shuttered Brittania copper mine, polluted Howe Sound in the 20th century, killing off much of its marine life.
None of the participants on the boat has a formal science background, but they're paid by the Marine Stewardship Initiative to collect data about the number and conditions of herring spawn in the sound. Their work contributes to the data being analyzed by the MSI as part of a larger effort to restore and protect this aquatic environment.
Sitting on the boat, school teacher Matthew Van Oostdam peers ahead, watching a flock of seagulls circle above, a sign that herring are nearby. Cameras at the ready, Van Oostdam — who is part of the herring hunt when he's not in the classroom — has learned how to do this right.
"Take photos and videos of everything, even if you don't think it's important, because someday it will be. And look for the birds," he said. "Those are two things we have always followed and it has always helped guide our awareness."
Getting clear images will help track herring populations. So Jonathan Williams, a member of the Squamish First Nation, pulls on a wetsuit, grabs an underwater camera and dives in.
While Williams (photo above) is in the water, sea lions rush toward the scene. In an attempt to defend themselves, herring surface and cluster into a ball. It looks like the water is boiling.
The sea lions' feeding frenzy leaves Williams a bit flustered, but also exhilarated.
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This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.