The Fisheries Council is considering taking an ecosystem-based management approach to Atlantic sea herring. Noa Randall and Rob Moir talk about how you may help.  The Council was successfully sued by ORI and two other plaintiffs.  Now they must recognize sea herring as prey for striped bass and forage fish for many.  Noa and Rob met with federal, state, local and tribal group representatives of the NE Regional Ocean Planning Body at UNH for a daylong workshop ecosystem-based management.  The merits of oyster reefs and the introduction of many oysters to Wellfleet are discussed.  Finally, the National Ocean Policy has issued their first five year report on many accomplishments since 2010.  Noa speaks to the lasting values of Ocean Literacy programs, including the Ocean Science Bowl from the perspective of a high school student.

Atlantic Sea Herring by NOAA

The oysters growing upward on top of other oysters are in the exact center of this photo. Photo: Massachusetts Oyster Project, http://blog.massoyster.org/2013/06/wellfleet-harbor-oyster-restoration-tour.html

Coordinating regional planning for ocean industry, conservation, and recreation, the Northeast Regional Planning Body has the responsibility of developing an ocean management plan for New England. http://northeastoceancouncil.org/