DEC Reschedules Public Information Meetings on River Herring Management

ALBANY, NY (03/09/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced new dates for public information meetings on the status of anadromous river herring (alewife and blueback herring) and the state's management plans for these fish.

In May 2009, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopted an amendment (known as "Amendment 2") to guide coastal states' management of anadromous (fish that travel from saltwater to freshwater to spawn) river herring. As a member of ASMFC, New York is required under federal law to follow this new management plan.

"In accordance with this plan, states must demonstrate that river herring stocks are sustainable or close down these fisheries," said Commissioner Grannis.

Three public information meetings are scheduled: two in the Hudson Valley and one on Long Island. At all three meetings, DEC will outline the data collection requirements for New York under the federal changes.

At the Hudson Valley meetings, DEC also will present data regarding river herring in the Hudson River and tributaries and discuss the river herring fishery. Currently, the recreational and commercial fisheries are largely unrestricted for the Hudson and its tributaries -- allowing unlimited numbers of herring to be taken. Preliminary results for the Hudson River suggest that adult herring size has declined and production of young is erratic. To reverse these trends, limits may be needed.

At the Long Island meeting, DEC will provide information on the local herring population and the need for additional data to determine its status. Due to the lack of stock data, fishing may have to close on all Long Island rivers.

All interested stakeholders are invited to attend and participate in the discussions. Meetings originally scheduled for March are now scheduled for the new dates listed below:

Mid-Hudson

April 15, 7-10 p.m.

NYSDEC Region 3 office

21 S. Putt Corners Rd

New Paltz, NY

Upper Hudson Valley

April 21, 7-10 p.m.

Town of Bethlehem Town Hall

445 Delaware Ave

Delmar, NY

Long Island

April 29, 7-9 p.m.

NYSDEC Marine Resources office

205 Belle Meade Rd.

East Setauket, NY

Results of these meetings will be used to develop a river herring management plan for New York. A proposed plan must be submitted to ASMFC for review and approval by July 1, 2010. Once approved, New York's final deadline for implementing ASMFC amendment is Jan. 1, 2012. For additional information:

  • A copy of the "Amendment 2" can be found at www.asmfc.org under "managed species," shad and river herring.
  • For questions, please send a message to the Hudson River Fisheries Unit mailbox at: r3hrf@gw.dec.state.ny.us or call Kris McShane (845-256-3009), Amanda Higgs (845-256-3073), Kathy Hattala (845-256-3071) or Andy Kahnle (845-256-3072).
  • Visit the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/40998.html for meeting notices.