Fishermen and River Herring Advocates Challenge Latest Herring Plan

Rob Moir talks with Pam Lyons Gromen, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC) and Earthjustice’s Roger Fleming about where have the herring gone on Moir’s Environment Advocates. 

When NMFS and NEFMC failed to stem the decline of sea herring, river herring and shad populations, a recreational fishing advocate, charter boat captain, and the Ocean River Institute filed suit, represented by Earthjustice.  Pam describes the life history of fish and explains why these fish are in jeopardy.  Roger explains why a lawsuit is necessary when groups fail to act and what will be accomplished through our actions. 

Environmental Advocates Rob, Pam and Roger are active members of the Herring Alliance, a coalition of non-profit conservation and environmental organizations working to reform New England’s Atlantic herring fishery. The protection and restoration of river herring, shad, and Atlantic herring, is vital to the continued use and enjoyment of these waters.

Pam Lyons Gromen is the Executive Director of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC), a public advocacy group dedicated exclusively to conserving ocean fish since it was founded by conservation-minded anglers in 1973. Currently, Pam heads NCMC’s Forage First! campaign, which urges fishery managers to implement strategies that provide adequate prey for predators. This campaign covers menhaden, river herring, shad, sea herring, mackerel, butterfish and squid along the Atlantic seaboard, and sardine, anchovy, krill, squid and mackerel on the West Coast. Pam has authored technical reports, including Preserving the Northeast Forage Base and Taking the Bait: Are America’s Fisheries Out-competing Predators for their Prey?, in order to generate awareness of the threats to the ocean forage base and to offer solutions. Pam spends much of her time researching and writing position papers on proposed regulatory actions and participating in fishery council and commission meetings.