Atlantic River Herring


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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Indian River Lagoon Dolphins
 

In 2008, the dolphins of Florida's Indian River Lagoon were dying at such an alarming rate that the situation was declared a "marine mammal unusual mortality event." This year, it looks like another such event is underway. To save the Indian River Lagoon dolphins, we must lessen the phosphorus and nitrogen entering the Lagoon.  
 

The dolphins' home has become a toxic soup. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) gets more than 400,000 pounds of phosphorus per year. The EPA also estimates that IRL gets 3 million pounds of nitrogen per year. We have the power to change the fate of these dolphins, who are being found emaciated, with respiratory problems, brain lesions, and other signs of suffering.
 

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ORI's Market America portal
 
Support ORI While You Shop – Really!
 
The Ocean River Institute recently became a nonprofit partner with the online shopping portal, MarketAmerica.com. When you search for an item this site brings up all the stores you already use. Market America sells lots of green products that don't pollute our oceans and rivers too! Every time you go through the portal to make a purchase, a percentage goes toward ORI’s efforts saving our oceans, rivers, and lagoons. All you have to do is visit ORI’s MarketAmerica.com website. If you sign up on the site, besides supporting ORI, you will also receive cash back on purchases. You don’t need to sign up with MarketAmerica.com to support ORI. So, do some of your early holiday shopping on the ORI portal!
 
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MarketAmerica/ORI whale faucet
 

ORI is a 5-star rated environmental nonprofit on Greatnonprofits.org. Check out our page on this site, write a review, and share with friends. See what others are saying about our efforts!
Visit Ocean River Institute's - Save Our Oceans And Rivers - a Causes page on Facebook.  Our cause now has 1,006 members! Help us reach 2,500! 
 
There are two new ways to save our oceans and rivers while you shop online! This month Little Twig, an online green products for mothers and children store, is donating 15% of their sales on Wednesdays to ORI. Or, visit ORI's Market America Portal at www.marketamerica.com/ori to shop from thousands of online stores. For every purchase you make, ORI earns a percentage.
   
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Discover how, with the knowledge of Rachel Carson and the courage of Achilles, individuals are making a difference for healthier oceans, rivers, watersheds and skies. Choose from twenty-nine podcast episodes of Moir's Environmental Dialogues, Ocean River Shields of AchillesAlso available free on iTunes, search "Moir's" or "Achilles."
 
Ocean River Institute
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