Fishing Managers Considering Changes to Herring Trawling

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Fishing managers who regulate New England’s waters are considering new ways to manage the herring fishery, which is a key source of bait and food.

The New England Fishery Management Council is looking at ways to address “localized depletion” in the herring fishery.

The council says localized depletion occurs when harvesters take more fish than can be naturally replaced in a given time period.

The council’s Atlantic Herring Committee has issued proposals that focus on the use of buffer zones where trawling gear would be restricted seasonally or year round.

The council made a motion on Tuesday to modify the herring committee’s initial proposal for the ranges of buffer zones. The herring committee will meet again in October and November to look at alternatives.

Herring is an important lobster baitfish.