Atlantic herring is one of the most important prey fish in the Georges Bank-Gulf of Maine ecosystem. They feed the fish we love to eat, like tuna, haddock, cod and striped bass, as well as whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds.
Bycatch, the unintended capture of unwanted fish and other animals during fishing, is a growing concern in the Atlantic herring fishery. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of bycatch are caught every year, much of it thrown overboard. This is a major problem for herring since there is no way to determine if they are being fished sustainably.
Next week, the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) will make crucial decisions on its new management plan for Atlantic herring, known as Amendment 5. This amendment would increase oversight in this fishery to prevent excessive bycatch and waste. Tell the Council to approve a strong Amendment 5 – including:
- Meaningful measures to reduce wasteful bycatch; and,
- An improved, comprehensive catch monitoring system that allows for accurate estimation of all catch - including bycatch.
Comments are due by 5pm on Thursday the 23rd!
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