As per the news report fishery managers from around the Northeast met in Portland are discussing the deep cuts in the herring catch for 2010. The final is yet to be made but scientists are calling for a 53 percent reduction from this year’s catch limit because of uncertainty about the health of the population.
It is informed that herring is the primary bait used in millions of lobster traps. Any shortage of the small, silvery fish is sure to push bait prices higher, at a time when lobstermen are getting the lowest prices in decades for their catch. Dave Cousens, a lobsterman from South Thomaston and the president of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, opined that this will be a catastrophe for the lobster industry.
It is noted that herring also is an important food source for a variety of fish and marine mammals, and keeping the population healthy is considered critical for other valuable species, including cod, tuna, striped bass and whales. Maine Department of Marine Resources revealed that this year, the region’s herring catch limit is 194,000 metric tons.
Herring fishermen and lobstermen argued against the cuts. Glen Robbins, a herring fisherman from Eliot, said that if they ever did go to (90,000 metric tons), it would create a big hardship up and down the coast. Federal law ultimately may give fishery managers little choice but to follow the advice of the scientists; but members of a New England Fishery Management Council subcommittee said Tuesday that they, too, feel the restrictions would be too severe.
Terry Stockwell, a committee member and the director of external affairs for the Maine Department of Marine Resources, opined that the herring fleet would take the most direct hit. The lobster industry, meanwhile, would have to switch to alternative baits, such as redfish or menhaden.
