Herring Ball

Looked out the window today to see seagulls and eagles and diving birds furiously circling a turgid spot in the strait that was moving slowly north. The harbor seal was following near the shore. I called Ian to see and he said, "Herring ball." Of course, I wasn't able to get any pictures, but I looked it up and other people have photographed similar events.

This is what I was seeing.

Herring swim in big schools that are called balls. Fishermen call them bait balls and go through them with a net. They're a major food source for seabirds, eagles, seals, bigger fish and whales. They were over fished in the 60s and a ban was put on commercial fishing for a while. Only first nations and sport fisherman could catch them. Of course, the first nations people have been eating them for centuries and especially loved the roe. They put fir branches in the water near the spawning grounds and then harvested the roe. And who doesn't love a bit of pickled herring for breakfast?

Here are some youtube films of herring balls. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9bUlV8alj8&list=PL0CA821CEFBBC6CE5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS4kvi_Cmsw&list=PL0CA821CEFBBC6CE5