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Implement Herring Amendment 1!

Action Alert

New England’s fish and fishermen can’t wait any longer. 

Atlantic herring needs to be protected now!

Your help is needed to protect a fish that is critical to the health of the ecosystems and the coastal communities in the Gulf of Maine.  This small, but indispensable fish is the Atlantic herring. 

Maine mammals including whales and dolphins, blue fin tuna, striped bass, seabirds, and groundfish depend upon a robust herring population for their survival.  Throughout New England, lobstermen depend on herring for bait, while groundfishermen know that a healthy herring population is necessary for the recovery of struggling stocks like cod and flounder. 

Herring is the backbone of the inshore Gulf of Maine ecosystem, but this humble fish and the people that depend on it are threatened by the irresponsible fishing practices of the midwater trawl fleet.  These large fishing vessels are infiltrating the Gulf of Maine and placing the inshore herring stock at risk of collapse.  Without abundant herring, whale watchers worry that fewer whales will return to feed; lobstermen wonder if there will be enough herring to use as bait; and recreational fishermen are concerned that striped bass will suffer from the depletion of their food source.

In response to this urgent problem, the New England Fishery Management Council has proposed a fishery management plan for Atlantic herring which creates a buffer zone in the inshore Gulf of Maine.  Destructive midwater trawlers would be prohibited from harvesting herring in the inshore from June through September of each fishing year.  More traditional and sustainable fishing methods, namely purse seining, would be permitted to harvest the herring resource.  Significant bycatch of juvenile groundfish like haddock have been documented and recognized by the Council.  These unfortunate bycatch events are further evidence that the midwater trawl fleet needs to be restricted from the inshore areas to prevent further damage to these fragile fish stocks.  A broad range of stakeholders support this approach including commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, ecotourism businesses, and concerned coastal residents. 

The proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register and the National Marine Fisheries Service is accepting public comments in regards to its implementation.  To protect Atlantic herring, along with the fishermen and coastal communities that depend on an abundant herring resource, we urge you to support the implementation of Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan, including the creation of a buffer zone in the inshore Gulf of Maine. 

Please visit www.choircoalition.org to send a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Administrator.  Make your voice heard in support of managing Atlantic herring in the Gulf of Maine for the future benefit of all stakeholders. 

Last updated: October 26, 2007

Today's Catch

Hookers Ball VIII - August 16th.

See the boats unload and visit the Hosts at the Chatham Fish Pier!

Report the tagged fish and receive a prize!

If you catch a haddock or cod with a tag:

• Record

• Call (toll-free): 1-866-447-2111 or e-mail: tagging@gmri.org
• Remove and mail the tag
• Receive your reward!
• Visit our tagging webpage for more information