In recent years, local environmental groups have been attempting to bring back the local herring population from "the brink of extinction," but some say environmental indifference stands in their way.
Local environmentalist John Buchanan surveyed the Squamish waterfront last month and numbers were looking positive. According to his calculations, the herring egg number was approximately 172,339,200.
He said this represents 32 government dock pilings of the 130 pilings that were heavily spawned on along the Mamquam Blind Channel. The remaining 98 pilings were spawned on to a much lesser degree and are difficult to estimate, he said.
However, the number of eggs that will actually survive remains to be seen and according to Buchanan, the number of creosote-coated pilings in the Squamish area will have a detrimental effect on herring spawning.
Creosote is put on the wood pilings to protect the wood from deterioration and marine life, but Buchanan said that isn't an excuse.
"While our neighbours to the south [the United States] pullcreosote pilings out, we just keep putting them in," he said, citing several studies conducted by various government agencies arguing that creosote-derived compounds from weathered creosote-treated pilings disrupt normal development in the Pacific herring and significantly reduce their survival rate.
"There is lots of good science out there to show how this poisons our oceans."
The federal funding provided in October 2010 to rebuild Squamish's small craft harbour with creosote pilings added insult to injury for Buchanan.
"The Chief story ['Federal funding rebuilds wharf'] really should have been titled 'federal funding kills fish for 50 years,'" he said.
"The creosote pilings that were used in its rebuild are a killer to herring, and last weekend they spawned on the new pilings that were just put in."
In 2006, John Matsen, Squamish Streamkeepers co-ordinator, discovered the creosote problem and since then, the Streamkeepers have been wrapping the pilings with material non-toxic to herring eggs. Since then, the population has boomed, and along with it, the sea life it sustains.
Edith Tobe, Squamish River Watershed Society co-ordinator, has also spearheaded efforts with the Streamkeepers and Squamish Nation to improve habitat for herring along Howe Sound by restoring eelgrass, on which herring also lay their eggs.
After the massive spawning took place on the creosote pilings on the public wharf in February, Streamkeepers co-chair Jack Cooley said, "most, if not all, of these herring eggs are doomed." Since then, many of those herring eggs have died.
He also commended the Squamish Yacht Club for its attention to the matter - it paid almost double the cost to install non-creosote-covered pilings.
Buchanan said the Streamkeepers' efforts are likely one of the reasons herring numbers are up this year, but that it would be more proactive if wharf installations were done properly - not with creosote - in the first place.
Buchanan's concerns do not stop at creosote pilings. He is concerned about the proposed infilling of the south end of the peninsula and sent a letter to mayor and council outlining his concerns.
"You all have influence on how the waterfront lands will be transformed. I think it's crucial that you review the material to see just how sensitive these lands are," he wrote.
"Ironically the highest concentration of herring spawn can be found on the southwest section of Nexen, which is slated for infilling under the current SODC plan."
He wrote that Squamish's oceanfront waters are just becoming alive and productive again and should be treated with the utmost care.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman asked that Buchanan's comments and research be sent to the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corp. (SODC) for consideration in their planning process.
Coun. Doug Race said he wasn't opposed to the suggestion but reminded council that as a former member of the SODC board, he could attest to the substantial communication between SODC and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) regarding habitat enhancement for the infill area.
During an oceanfront sub area plan discussion on July 30, 2010, community services general manager Cameron Chalmers said the SODC has been working closely with DFO officials.
"If done properly, the environmental officials that we discussed this with see this as a habitat enhancement and a potential remediation project," Chalmers said.
This is not the first time Buchanan has voiced concerns about infilling the end of the peninsula, despite Chalmers' reassurances.
At the public meeting for the Oceanfront sub area plan, he said filling in the southern portion of the Oceanfront lands will disturb the soil and unearth unknown levels of mercury, destroying the surrounding aquatic habitat.
Buchanan said the site is in the middle of prime herring spawning habitat.
"If we will have any hope in bringing them back from the brink of extinction in the Howe Sound region, a policy of soft shores that provides spawning habitat for them is essential."
