A “Stronghold” Approach for River Herring: Landscape-Scale Conservation Strategies for the Wild and Scenic Taunton River Watershed

River herring (alewife and blueback herring) are anadromous alosines that play important ecological roles and historically comprised major U.S. fisheries. Stocks are at historically low levels Atlantic coast-wide and river herring are being considered for listing as Threatened species. The Taunton River, a ~500 sq mi watershed in Southeastern Massachusetts, hosts one of the largest river herring runs in New England. This run declined somewhat but remained healthy while others dropped precipitously from about 2000-2005.   Protecting and strengthening this and other “strongholds” is likely key to recovery of the species at scale.  The Taunton River was designated Wild and Scenic in 2009, but is located in the fastest developing region of Massachusetts. Protecting the Wild and Scenic values, including river herring, for future generations demands a comprehensive approach to watershed protection as well as linking freshwater, estuarine, and marine conservation strategies. With public and private partners, The Nature Conservancy is advancing innovative water management projects, removing dams, improving road crossings and stormwater management, restoring estuarine habitat, and protecting key lands. These site based strategies are linked with statewide policy efforts such as establishing streamflow standards and easing permitting of restoration projects, and regional scale research and fisheries management  to reduce bycatch of river herring in ocean fisheries.