Fishermen's Perspectives on River Herring Abundance, Run Timing, Fish Size, and Threats to Recovery

Alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (A. aestivalis), collectively known as river herring, are small anadromous fish that have big ecological roles. Centuries of habitat destruction, fishing pressure, and other impacts have caused river herring abundance to decline throughout their range. Fisheries-independent data to assess the status of river herring are limited. We sought to better understand changes in river herring populations by conducting a phone survey of commercial, recreational, and sustenance fishermen.  Fishermen observe many aspects of river herring runs that fisheries managers use to help gauge population trends, including run duration, and the size and abundance of the fish.  We surveyed 188 fishermen from Maine to South Carolina and documented their observations. We also asked their opinions of the run status in their area, the greatest threats to river herring, and how to best address those threats. Survey responses revealed few areas of coast-wide consensus among survey respondents.  We found regional differences in descriptions of catch composition, run timing, changes in abundance, status of the runs, and threats. The results also revealed ways that we can work more cohesively with fishermen on efforts to conserve and restore these species.