River Herring in Peril- A Call to action

I am in the process of developing a grass roots, volunteer effort and create a "Herring Lift" program along the mid Atlantic region, starting right here in NJ to help preserve what is left of the depleted river herring population. If you or an organization you work with is interested in helping out, please reach out to me ASAP.

The term “River herring” is actually used to describe two anadromous species, The Alewife and Blueback.

River herring are a vital part of the marine food web providing valuable nutrition to a large variety of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

As humans and concerned citizens, we must realize that rebuilding a sustainable aquatic food web is the key to a healthy eco system and its collapse would be detrimental to us and wildlife. As fisherman, populations of valuable game fish like striped bass, summer flounder, bluefish, weakfish, tuna etc would certainly benefit and increase when herring populations are restored.

Individual Fish health will improve and make them more resistant against disease. Rebuilding and stabilizing the aquatic food web is vital to all types of fishing. The Recreational fishing business for striped bass alone would thrive with future healthy river herring runs.

Each year in early spring, these fish migrate in from the ocean and head up rivers and streams to spawn in fresh or brackish water. Alewife herring arrive first, and then Blueback herring a few weeks later. The 2010 season is quickly approaching and it is important that we get moving now.

It is important to realize that river herring populations have been depleted to a point where a complete collapse appears imminent at this time. Note that there is a moratorium/fishery closure pending at this time, scheduled for 2012 in NJ, PA and DE.

Depletion is occurring at the most harmful and rapid level out at sea. Unfortunately, the river herring mix in with other migratory species, like mackerel,squid and Atlantic herring and are caught and brought up in the massive mid water pair trawl fishing nets. This type of fishing is extremely effective at catching large numbers of fish at one time, but does not discriminate, so the river herring are “by catch” and large numbers are discarded at sea. While there are efforts being made to stop this practice, the complicated process will take too long to implement. An entire rivers herring population could be removed in one netful!

Additional river herring depletion has occurred over time due to the construction of dams and other obstructions in the rivers and streams that prevent the herring from reaching preferred spawning grounds.

Aside from a flood occurring at exactly at the right time, there is little chance that without a "fish ladder" device in place that the herring will make it over the dams. There are a few “fish ladders” around New Jersey, but at a cost of over 200k each, they are few and far between. In our state alone, there are over 200 bodies of water that have been identified and confirmed as spawning spots for river herring. Continued budget cuts and an awful economy insure that few if any new fish ladders will be built in the near future.

Several other forage species use the fish ladders, like American eel and American shad. These species are equally important in the food web.

This is where we come in, with a little effort we can help to preserve and increase the populations. It is my vision to have volunteers "LIFT" river herring, with nets and buckets, all along the coast. It is up to us to help the alewives and bluebacks make it over stream obstructions to spawning grounds. At this time we can also begin compiling baseline population data so that we can monitor herring success. Currently, There is very little data on river herring stocks here in NJ and whatever we could gather would be very helpful to NJ state fisheries biologists.

Herring Lift 2010 is only the beginning. Ultimately, my goal for this RIVER HERRING RESCUE program is to generate public attention to the plight of the river herring and generate badly needed funding for more fish ladders, dam removal and or improvement, “at sea” observers and local game enforcement in New Jersey and the rest of the Mid Atlantic region.

Our flagship fish ladder project is located at the headwaters of the Navesink River in Red Bank, New Jersey. There is a dam at the base of Shadow Lake that screams out for a fish ladder.

It is my intention, with the generous support of organizations and individuals to build and complete an existing project that has been stalled in a tangle of red tape for a few years now.

It would be great if we could name it after the late great local Littoral advocate, Dery Bennett . ,since he was the original visionary of this project.
I believe that with a little push these efforts will help to expedite its construction.

I just hope that our immediate lifting efforts will preserve enough of the spawning stock biomass of river herring to return and swim up the ladder to rebuild the stock.

Please reach out to me by email at paulyfish@reeltherapy.com if you are interested in helping the river herring in any way.Checkout website at www.savetheriverherring.org On behalf of the rest of the marine food web, Thanks in advance for feeding us!