Roe Herring Fishery - Pacific Region

Roe herring are fished for their eggs. The harvested roe is considered a delicacy in Japan, which is the main market for this product. The fishery takes place as the herring gather to spawn during late February to early March in southern NC, and mid- March to mid-April in northern BC. Opening dates and times for the commercial fishery are announced on the fishing grounds once the roe has matured to optimum quality.

The commercial roe herring fishery occurs in five geographic areas determined by major herring stocks; Prince Rupert District, Central Coast, Haida Gwaii, West Coast of Vancouver Island, and Strait of Georgia. Specific fishing locations are determined by major concentrations of fish and the potential for the highest roe yield.

Integrated Fisheries Management Plans

• Herring Management Plan

Fishery Information

• Roe Herring Consultations
• Herring Spawning Areas and Tag Recovery Maps
• Research documents and stock status reports - Scientific papers and short resource status papers, available through the Department's Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) site

DFO Contact

Brenda Spence

Resource Manager, Herring/Pelagics

3225 Stephenson Road

Nanaimo, BC

Phone: 250-756-7329

Email: Brenda.spence@dfo-mpo.gc.ca