Why River Herring are Important
River herring (alewife and blueback herring collectively) were placed on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's list of "Species of Concern" in 2006 due to drastic population decline over the past two centuries. They are an extremely important link in the food web and are critical in keeping the ecosystem healthy. River herring provide food for bass, trout, salmonoids, other fish, ospreys, herons, eagles, kingfishers, cormorants and aquatic mammals in the river environment (1). In the ocean, they provide forage for predators including bluefish, weakfish, striped bass, cod, pollock, silver hake, endangered Atlantic salmon, sea birds, and marine mammals (1). The decline in river herring has contributed to the decline in certain predatory species such as cod and pollock.
Alewife and blueback herring also play an important cultural role in communities along the Atlantic coast. The river herring fishery is one of the oldest documented fisheries in the United States and has had a strong presence since colonial times. Coastal fishermen value the annual river herring runs and have initiated efforts to maintain their cultural link to the fishery, to develop effective management techniques for restoration, to preserve river herring harvests for future generations, and to teach community members about the resource (1).
Alewife and blueback herring also play an important cultural role in communities along the Atlantic coast. The river herring fishery is one of the oldest documented fisheries in the United States and has had a strong presence since colonial times. Coastal fishermen value the annual river herring runs and have initiated efforts to maintain their cultural link to the fishery, to develop effective management techniques for restoration, to preserve river herring harvests for future generations, and to teach community members about the resource (1).
River Herring Population Monitoring - We need your help!
In order to properly manage the fishery, we need to know how many alewife and blueback herring are going through our fishways each season. With the help of volunteers, visual assessments have been conducted in previous years. Current monitoring protocol involves a video system installed at the top of certain fish ladders. Volunteers now have the opportunity to help count fish by watching video clips online. Helping out is easy and fun! Just click the link below to get started.
References:
1. ASMFC. 2009. Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring. Fishery Management Report No. 35 Washington, D.C.