Smelling fish from space
Updated: 6 days ago
Herring spawning events are among the few animal-driven phenomena that can be observed from space, and we have captured several remarkable examples along the coast of Newfoundland between 2020 and 2026.
Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) is an important forage fish harvested through both traditional and commercial fisheries. It also plays a critical role in the food web of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and many other ecosystems across the North Atlantic.
The location and timing of spawning events provide valuable indicators of population health. They can also help identify ecosystems where conservation and restoration efforts should be prioritized. In the long term, this project could complement the work carried out by the Spectral Lab at the University of Victoria in British Columbia by enabling the monitoring of a wide range of Canadian coastlines.
We would be delighted to hear your observations and answer any questions you may have about this fascinating natural phenomenon!
