A call to action:

I am in the process of developing a grass roots, volunteer effort alongthe mid Atlantic region, starting here in NJ to help preserve what is left

of depleted river herring populations. The term “River herring” is

actually used to describe two anadromous species, The Alewife andBlueback. 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 asustainable 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 increase whenherring populations are restored. Individual Fish health will improve

and make them more resistant against disease. Rebuilding the aquaticfood web is vital to all types of fishing. Recreational fishing 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 thatwe get moving now.

It is important to realize that river herring populations have beendepleted to a point where a complete collapse appears imminent at

this time.

Depletion is occurring at the highest level out at sea. Unfortunately,

the river herring mix in with other migratory fish, like mackerel andAtlantic herring and are caught and brought up in the mid water trawl

fishing nets. This type of fishing is extremely effective at catchinglarge 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, thecomplicated process will take too long to implement.

Additional river herring depletion has occurred over time due to the

construction of dams and other obstructions in the rivers and streamsthat prevent the herring from reaching preferred spawning grounds.

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 areover 200 bodies of water that have been identified and confirmed as

spawning spots for river herring.

Latest budget cuts and an awful economy insure that no new fish

ladders will be built in the near future. Note that several other foragespecies 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 streamobstructions to spawning grounds. At this time we can also begin

compiling baseline population data so that we can monitor herring

success. 

Herring Lift 2010 is only the beginning. Ultimately, my goal for thisprogram is to generate public attention to the plight of the river

herring and generate badly needed funding for more fish ladders, damremoval 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 the

"Dery Bennett" fish ladder there in the near future and hope that theseefforts will help to expedite its construction.

I just hope that our immediate lifting efforts will preserve enough riverherring to return and swim up the ladder to rebuild the stock.