Satellite Spots a Spawn

What Happened

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Satellite Spots a Spawn Earth Earth Observatory Image of the Day EO Explorer Topics All Topics Atmosphere Land Heat & Radiation Life on Earth Human Dimensions Natural Events Oceans Remote Sensing Technology Snow & Ice Water More Content Collections Global Maps World of Change Articles Notes from the Field Blog Earth Matters Blog Blue Marble: Next Generation EO Kids Mission: Biomes About About Us Subscribe 🛜 RSS Contact Us Search Water along the coast of Vancouver Island is brightened by a herring spawn in this image acquired on February 19, 2026, by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9.

Why It Matters

NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin Spawning season has sprung for Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) in the waters off British Columbia, Canada.

Key Details

From mid-February through early May each year, thousands of the small, silvery fish congregate in shallow coastal areas around Vancouver Island and create a spectacle sometimes visible to satellites.
Sheltered waters in Barkley Sound, on the southwestern side of Vancouver Island, are regular sites for spawn events.
On February 19, 2026, the Landsat 9 satellite caught a glimpse of early-season activity underway along the shore near Forbes Island.
In these events, female herring produce eggs that stick to a variety of materials, from kelp and seagrass to rock surfaces.

Background Context

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Source: NASA – Original Link

Source: NASA