https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565489111834
Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound
The Vital Role of Herring & Their Spawn in Baynes Sound & Lambert Channel
A Keystone of the Salish Sea Ecosystem
Baynes Sound & Lambert Channel are not just beautiful coastal waters—they are the heartbeat of the Salish Sea. This region, an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Area (EBSA), produces one-third of all herring in BC’s waters, making it the most crucial spawning and rearing habitat for Pacific herring in the province.
Herring may be small, but they hold the entire ecosystem together. Every spring, millions of herring return to these waters to spawn, painting the shoreline in a stunning natural spectacle. This event fuels the entire food web:
Birds: A critical food source for migrating seabirds, including at-risk species. The area is a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its significance to shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl.
Salmon & Other Fish: Juvenile salmon, mollusks, and forage fish depend on herring for sustenance, ensuring the health of salmon runs that support coastal ecosystems and fisheries.
Marine Mammals: Pacific harbour seals and Steller sea lions rely on Baynes Sound’s abundant herring to survive.
Eelgrass Beds & Coastal Habitats: The estuaries, intertidal zones, and eelgrass beds provide essential nurseries for young salmon and other marine life, reinforcing the biodiversity of the region.
A Fragile Balance Under Threat
Despite its ecological importance, Baynes Sound & Lambert Channel are at risk. Toxic effluents, industrial pollution, and human activities threaten the delicate balance of this marine ecosystem.
Herring are highly sensitive to pollution. Contaminants like heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and microplastics can disrupt their spawning cycles, leading to devastating population declines.
Shellfish, salmon, and other marine life suffer from toxic runoff, impacting local fisheries, Indigenous food security, and biodiversity.
Pollution in these waters doesn’t just stay here—it cascades through the entire Salish Sea, affecting everything from orcas to coastal communities.
Unregulated shipbreaking in coastal waters poses an additional threat—this practice releases hazardous substances such as asbestos, heavy metals, and oil residues into the marine environment. Without proper oversight, shipbreaking can contribute to long-term contamination, jeopardizing the delicate spawning grounds of herring and the overall health of Baynes Sound & Lambert Channel.
allthingsunionbay 