Spring Hoonah Sound Herring Spawn
Photography & Whales
Alaska Sea Adventures Presents
A Spring Extravaganza!
Hoonah Sound is located about 30 miles north of
Sitka within a scenic, sheltered area of southern Chichagof
Island. This is the setting for a truly remarkable springtime
event. We’ll find sea otters, humpback whales, Steller sea
lions, harbor seals, bald eagles a host of gulls and a myriad
of sea birds all waiting for that special moment – the annual
arrival of the Pacific herring! The herring have gathered
here in astonishing numbers to lay their eggs within the
rich protected intertidal areas of the Alaska Inside Passage
shoreline in the very locations selected long ago and used
over eons of time. With the arrival of the herring, there is
an amazing festival of wildlife.
Stellar sea lions on the prowl for a herring lunch.
The scenes of sea otters lazily floating in a spectacular
setting, humpback whales performing the rare cooperative
‘bubble-net’ feeding lunges as they gorge on herring, bald
eagles diving with talons outstretched to capture the shallow
swimming herring, seals and sea lions rushing through great
schools of herring gathered along the shoreline and a host
of other birds all present to take part in a bountiful annual
feast, are thrilling indeed.
Capture rare amazing images as Humpback whales feed on herring in Hoonah Sound!
Hoonah Sound is also the location of a unique commercial
fishery. The herring spawn-on-kelp fishery produces a
beautiful appearing delicacy extremely prized in Japan
known as Kazunoko Konbu. The fishery is a rare sight to
behold as tons of herring are held by the fishermen in net
compounds until the egg laden herring delicately apply their
ripe eggs to the kelp leaves suspended in the enclosure. The
long kelp fronds covered in thick golden herring eggs create
the specialty seafood Kazunoko Konbu, a very succulent
expensive treat.
Spring but comes just once a year. Be one of the very
few to witness this event. Book now for this thrilling trip,
Spring Extravaganza 2008!
Netted herring being transfered to a holding pen for roe harvesting.
Copyright 1996-2010 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.
