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Alaska Sea Adventures Spring Newsletter 2008


Hail to the Herring

 

Articles in this issue:


A very nice printable version of this newsletter that can be read in entirety or saved for reference is available here:
SpringASANews2008.pdf (2.2MB PDF file)

We have focused on herring quite a lot in this newsletter because the herring spawning event is one of the many prime events and highlights of springtime in Alaska. (Check out the Spring Extravaganza section in our Fall 2007 Newsletter on our website.)

The Pacific Herring biomass is an essential resource for the existence of almost all marine wildlife and the annual spring spawning event is a celebration of this absolutely vital element of Southeast Alaska’s natural environment.

Tlingit natives of Southeast Alaska revere and celebrate the herring spawn by placing hemlock branches in the water to collect a thick layer of herring eggs laid on the bows. This produces a highly prized, rich delicacy that is often dipped in seal oil.

Pacific Herring is also a commercially-fished resource. Historically, the herring were caught and rendered for their rich oil or reduced to make fish meal. More recently, uses for commercially-caught herring have included a limited food market, bait for other fisheries and food for zoo animals. The largest current commercial herring fishery is for the eggs, or roe, kazunoko which is an expensive delicacy in Japan.

A major herring roe fishery is occurring right now in March in Sitka. You can see video footage of some of the action of this fishery at this web site: http://www.sitka.com/herring-video.html

eagle eating herring on the fly
School of herring

And of course, when you join us on our special Spring Extravaganza Trips, you’ll witness this amazing event up-close-and-personal! The Hoonah Sound Trip (April 21-28, 2008) is sold out this year. But you can still catch a ride on the upcoming Seymour Canal Trip (April 30 – May 7, 2008) as we only have one cabin available.

You don’t want to miss this once-a-year-only event! As Jim Nahmens wrote in his article, For the Love of Herring: “It just so happens that the herring attract all the animals we love to see. Find the herring and watch the show!” We know where to find the herring!

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2012 Island Voyages, Inc. and Natures-Spirit Photography, reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is strictly prohibited and a violation of law. Alaska Sea Adventures operates under Special Use Permit from the USDA Forest Service, Tongass National Forest.