Herring: Between A Rock And A Hard Place

by Fishermen's Voice Staff

Lexi Krause, life long fisherman said that over the last 20 years he sees changes in the GOM. He sees it on the surface and his color scanner. The herring are not schooling, no herring no tuna. The cod have big yellow heads, small bodies, and they are full of worms. They have nothing to eat. Photo: Fishermen's Voice

The Fishermen’s Forum held an all day meeting that was entitled the “Future of Herring In The Gulf of Maine.” Scientists presented their findings and opinions first. The harvesters operating mid-water trawlers in the Gulf of Maine (GOM), then presented their comments and opinions during most of the morning and afternoon sessions. In the afternoon, fishermen in the audience of about 150 people, stood to give their views and opinions of the future of herring in the Gulf of Maine.

The scientists said they thought the fishery has been generally healthy. But, at the same time, the “model’ they use to interpret the data they gather, in order to evaluate the health of the herring fishery, “over estimates biomass (the amount of herring) and under estimates predation.”

The lead National Marine Fisheries Service scientist, Dr. Bill Overholtz, said it is important that they now consider the amount of predation of herring by other species of fish, and not just the effects of the fishing industry, in determining how much herring needs to be left in the water.

This was considered a break-through observation by some concerned with the fishing down of stocks to levels that threaten their survival and the survival of species that depend on herring for forage.

The industry representatives of the corporations that are now the primary harvesters of herring in the Gulf of Maine, were concerned about the four months they will not be allowed to use their mid-water gear in the inshore area (1A). During that period they will have to switch to purse-seine gear only, in the inshore area( Area 1A), and they would have to increase the price of lobster bait. This may also affect the price of feed for finfish aquaculture operations and other fish-meal markets.

The morning session ended with about who would get the weir fishery quota in eastern Maine.

Dave Ellenton of Cape Seafoods, who owns three mid-water trawlers that fish out of Gloucester, mentioned he had a substantial investment in the fishery and said, “We are not going to let that vessel [a vessel he said they have invested in] go, we are going to make steps that will allow Area 3 fishing in the herring fisheries. We are not going to let go of our markets easily.”

“The bait market,” said Ellenton, “was described as the most important market for us.”

Tuna fisherman Chris Weiner (L) and Robert Fitzpatrick, tuna buyer, Chatham, MA. “If there are herring offshore why are you not fishing them heavy? Maybe you should make a deal to leave inshore alone. I warned about a train wreck and now it is upon us.” —Fitzpatrick Photo: Fishermen's Voice

During the late afternoon session fishermen brought their view of the future of herring to the meeting. Bob Baines, a lobsterman on the panel, expressed his concern about bait shortages that may result from the Area 1A closure to mid-water gear in the summer months.

Others spoke of concerns about bait supplies and the increased cost of bait.

Contrasting with the relatively neutral position of the scientists and the mid-water trawler operators, who thought they were being deprived of access to a plentiful resource, some fishermen were describing a different situation they said they were seeing on the water.

Tuna fisherman Chris Weiner from Cape Cod spoke about the absence of tuna in the GOM in recent years. He also mentioned the changes in sea life in general, which he attributes to the impact of the highly efficient mid-water gear.

Glen Robbins of the FV Western Edge said, “I encourage you people with big boats to go off shore and maybe the fish will come back inshore.”
Dave Dunn of Cape Neddick, ME said, “There is something going on. I’ve seen changes out there. I think that seining is a better way to fish, and I don’t think anyone in fishing, familiar with what has been going on, thinks differently about this.”

Sally McGee, of the NEFMC and the Environmental Defense Fund, addressed another concern over the observer coverage, which in the herring fishery has dropped from, what some considered low at 20% to an ineffectual 3%. McGee said, “better coverage would help in developing an understanding of the ecosystem.”

The all day session left some lobstermen in a bind. They thought after the all day session that the future of the herring resource was wedged between the demand for bait, fish meal and other markets, and the demands of other prey fish in the Gulf of Maine.