Herring runs

[slapshot]

The CTDEP has closed all runs for the taking of herring for the last couple of years. I cannot understand why the surrounding states are so slow in recognizing that there is a problem. Sure there will always be poachers, but something has to be done.

I think they need to look closer at what is going on with the offshore herring vessels, like the Russian processing ships that are supposed to be targetting Atlantic Herring. I have been told by State Fisheries biologists that it is difficult to tell the difference between an Atlantic herring and a river run herring. I believe that they do not have a full understanding of what those boats are doing to the fishery as a whole.

[piemma]

John:
Worked the Run on Friday and Sat. NADA. Got a few the week before.

[cheferson]

Gotta say again what a great job the dem has been doing this year!! 80% of the time ive been at a run , ive been checked by the DEM. Others ive talked to there have said theve been checked almost everytime there.They also have been out patrolling in unmarked vehicles and have been out a lot late night 1-4am .

[cheferson]

Is this a blueback herring?, or are alewifes and bluebacks the same. They were feeding on acres of these, pic is very blurry though. Sandeels???
Thanks

[Mike P]

We have cormorants coming out the ass already down here. If it would make you feel better, and I can get the SOBs to listen to me, I'll gladly send them north

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Mike P

We have cormorants coming out the ass already down here. If it would make you feel better, and I can get the SOBs to listen to me, I'll gladly send them north

Same here. In Deal lake a small pond with a flume directley adjacent to the ocean i saw at least 20 of them.they apeared out of no where's over the last 4-5 yrs.These things are eating machine's.20 cormarants can eat hundreds of herring per day.They also have quite a liking for stocked trout.they have been a real concern in the great lakes for years.to the point where some guides have gone on late night shooting spree's wit buckets of shells.Why doesn't fish an game do something I guess they will wait till there are no fish to replenish no body of water is safe an all fry are easy targets.they are at the present time a protected bird that status has to change.

[JohnR]

Hi John. The 4 places I check REGULARLY have been devoid of herring. It has seemed a downward trend here for a couple years but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Herring return in 4 or 5 years to the rivers they were born in. So the note about drouts of 4-5 years ago makes some sense too.

The poaching that does go on is effin' stupid but I don't think it is the major faults of the herring problems. Sure, people grabbing a bunch of herring plus the commercial free reign on the runs for lobster bait is a problem. And every swinging richard taking a bunch of herring now as they are swiming upstream to spawn are are not doing the fish a service. PLEASE let them spawn before you take them. Sure, they are a bit beaten up on the down swing but they have spawned.

Chef - A lot of those herring trucks with transplanted herring are probably from the Middleboro system. That is apparently where the bulk of the transplants come from. The thought being those transplanted fry will come back in 4-5 years once mature...

I fear that by far the largest problem with the herring is that offshore pair trawl fishery.

Be prepared for more stringent rules or a no take in RI next year. All in the name of russian fertilizer

[NIB]

Originally Posted by cheferson

Is this a blueback herring?, or are alewifes and bluebacks the same. They were feeding on acres of these, pic is very blurry though. Sandeels???
Thanks

The one on the top in the pic looks like a atalntic sea herring.they are generally much thinner than alewife's.They may be longer also. they usually show up here in NJ in late nov-dec. blue backs are for the most part smaller than alewifes an well... more blue.Also not as hardy for livelinen they don't hold up well at all.

[cheferson]

I noticed that these seemed to have a turquois sp? hue on spots on there back. SO theyre atlantic herring?

[Young Salt]

Why do the russians travel halfway around the world to take our herring? Did their fisheries already collapse on them? Are other closer fisheries too wise to let them in? What do we get in return for letting them fish here? Are the powers that be selling us out?

Why aren't they american - or at least canadian boats selling them to the russian market?