Squamish's government wharf is the latest testing zone for a fishy experiment.
Last week, the Department of Fisheries (DFO) small craft harbour supervisor Robin Richardson oversaw the wrapping of the dock's creosote-coated pilings with a thin, low-toxic plastic — High Density Polyethylene.
The work is part of a Squamish Streamkeepers initiative to boost the growth of the local herring run. In the spring of 2006, Streamkeepers members noticed dead herring eggs on pilings under the Squamish Terminals. After research, the group discovered that creosote kills herring eggs. Since then, the Streamkeepers have wrapped approximately 300 pilings under the terminal with various non-toxic material, such as landscape fabric.
DFO has been working with the Squamish Streamkeepers to explore more durable herring-friendly material options, Richardson said. Besides the plastic, the wharf also has some steel components that will be monitored, he added.
"A lot of this is very new," Richardson said.
Communities around B.C. are examining the results of the ongoing Squamish project, said Jonn Matsen, Squamish Streamkeepers co-chair. Pender Harbour copied Squamish and has wrapped creosote pilings with less toxic material. Coal Harbour also followed suit.
"Squamish is sort of like the prototype area," Matsen said.
The town still needs to deal with old pilings that dot its coastline, he said. Last weekend, Matsen found dead herring eggs on the pilings at Nexen Beach.
The silver-coloured fish are already starting to arrive for an early spawning this year, he noted. Once the herrings' population is large enough, Matsen expects to see them spawn in Squamish annually.
"March is the big one," he said.
To learn more about the Squamish Streamkeepers Society visit at http://web.me.com/jackcooley2/streamkeepers/Welcome.html.
