RFA Seeks Conservation Measures for Atlantic Herring


RFA Seeks Conservation Measures for Atlantic Herring


The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has joined forces with allies in New England seeking additional conservation measures for Atlantic herring through the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).


Atlantic herring are important forage, particularly in New England and the Gulf of Maine, for recreationally important species such as tuna, bluefish, striped bass, cod and haddock.


“Since January of 2003, we have been members of CHOIR (Coalition for the Herring Fishery’s Orderly, Informed and Responsible Long Term Development) and we are trying to ensure that herring are managed well enough to provide an adequate forage base for predator species,” said Michael Doebley of the RFA.


Traditionally in the Gulf of Maine, small purse seine vessels fishing in the upper water column pursued Atlantic Herring. The size of the vessels and the type of gear limited bycatch and the amount of fish that could be taken from any given area. In recent years, new vessels have entered the fishery using pair-trawls. These vessels have the ability to take entire schools of herring from a small area, leaving little for forage. Pair- trawling may also lead to increased bycatch of groundfish, since the gear can fish much lower in the water column or even on the bottom.


“One of our first goals with CHOIR was to increase the amount of observer coverage on these vessels to better understand the extent of bycatch in pair-trawls and we were able to achieve that this year,” said Mr. Doebley. “Our next goal is to seek a lower total allowable catch (TAC) for Atlantic herring and a lower TAC for “Area 1A” which encompasses coastal waters along the coast of Maine.”


At a July 13th NEFMC meeting, the council did cut the overall TAC for Atlantic Herring for 2005 but not as low as RFA and CHOIR sought, and chose not to cut the TAC for Area 1A.


“I am deeply disappointed in the Council’s decision to allow status quo herring quotas for the next two years,” said Rich Ruais, fellow CHOIR member and Executive Director of the East Coast Tuna Association. “It was clearly politics as usual to benefit industry in the face of substantial scientific recommendation and industry advice that the herring resource is in trouble in the Gulf of Maine.”


The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing individual sport fishermen and the sport fishing industry. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs and ensure the long-term sustainability of U.S. saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 1-888-JOIN-RFA.


RFA Seeks Conservation Measures for Atlantic Herring


The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) has joined forces with allies in New England seeking additional conservation measures for Atlantic herring through the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).


Atlantic herring are important forage, particularly in New England and the Gulf of Maine, for recreationally important species such as tuna, bluefish, striped bass, cod and haddock.


“Since January of 2003, we have been members of CHOIR (Coalition for the Herring Fishery’s Orderly, Informed and Responsible Long Term Development) and we are trying to ensure that herring are managed well enough to provide an adequate forage base for predator species,” said Michael Doebley of the RFA.


Traditionally in the Gulf of Maine, small purse seine vessels fishing in the upper water column pursued Atlantic Herring. The size of the vessels and the type of gear limited bycatch and the amount of fish that could be taken from any given area. In recent years, new vessels have entered the fishery using pair-trawls. These vessels have the ability to take entire schools of herring from a small area, leaving little for forage. Pair- trawling may also lead to increased bycatch of groundfish, since the gear can fish much lower in the water column or even on the bottom.


“One of our first goals with CHOIR was to increase the amount of observer coverage on these vessels to better understand the extent of bycatch in pair-trawls and we were able to achieve that this year,” said Mr. Doebley. “Our next goal is to seek a lower total allowable catch (TAC) for Atlantic herring and a lower TAC for “Area 1A” which encompasses coastal waters along the coast of Maine.”


At a July 13th NEFMC meeting, the council did cut the overall TAC for Atlantic Herring for 2005 but not as low as RFA and CHOIR sought, and chose not to cut the TAC for Area 1A.


“I am deeply disappointed in the Council’s decision to allow status quo herring quotas for the next two years,” said Rich Ruais, fellow CHOIR member and Executive Director of the East Coast Tuna Association. “It was clearly politics as usual to benefit industry in the face of substantial scientific recommendation and industry advice that the herring resource is in trouble in the Gulf of Maine.”


The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing individual sport fishermen and the sport fishing industry. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs and ensure the long-term sustainability of U.S. saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 1-888-JOIN-RFA.