The springtime herring run in New England is legendary. Two species of small fish, known collectively as river herring, return to the rivers, streams, and creeks of their birthplace, to breed again. After a few months in freshwater, their young return to the sea.
Before World War II, herring fisheries harvested abundant supplies of the fish, and consumer demand was high. Today, many herring are caught for use as bait. And in many rivers, like the Hudson, fisheries have collapsed, despite conservation efforts. What happened to the herring?
The answer is undoubtedly multifaceted. It is possible that overfishing outpaced the reproductive abilities of the fish. Herring were also blocked from some breeding grounds by the construction of dams in many reaches of New England rivers. And, the invasive zebra mussel may be consuming food normally eaten by river herring.
Water temperatures influence the spring migration of herring. During the past few decades, increasing temperatures of springtime waters may be causing a mismatch between the arrival of herring and the availability of food.
“I think it’s really an open question how climate change is going to affect them.”
Karin Limburg, a professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, gives us reason to be hopeful…
“One thing I can tell you about river herring is that the post-glacial environment that they evolved in led them to become very, very adaptable.”
Whatever studies show to be the causes of the demise of herring, the best science should inform management decisions that protect the remaining populations and allow restoration of a sustainable herring fishery for the future.
Web Extra
Full interview with Karin Limburg, professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry…
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Limburg_full_edited_shortened.mp3|titles=Limburg_full_edited_shortened]Photo, taken on May 22, 2007 using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel, courtesy of Greg Peverill-Conti via Flickr.