Herring, Haddock Fishermen at Odds as Regulators Seek Peace

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Fishing regulators are trying to broker peace between two of the most economically important fisheries in the Northeast, herring and haddock.

One of the areas where fishermen seek the two species is Georges Bank, a criticalfishing ground off of New England. Herring are important as bait and sometimes as food, while haddock are a staple of New England’s fish markets and seafood restaurants.

Herring fishermen are allowed a “catch cap” of haddock in Georges Bank every year. They exceeded it last year and regulators closed a large section of Georges Bank to herring fishing until May 1, 2016.

Some herring fishermen would like those rules to be changed. Haddock and other groundfishermen have frequently opposed that idea.

The New England Fishery Management is considering the subject on Tuesday.