The Island Institute in Rockland is beginning a project to document inshore historic herring spawning sites. Any fisherman with recollections of herring spawning sites within about five miles of shore is encouraged to call Benjamin Neal, Marine Programs Officer, at 594-9209 ext. 102. The herring resource has seen a significant increase offshore, but in the near-shore region abundance is widely believed to have declined considerably in the last few decades. This spawning information could help document and understand these changes.
This project will involve gathering approximate date and site information from lobstermen, herring fishermen and groundfishermen along the coast of Maine from Biddeford to the Canadian line, who have fished in the coastal area.
Specific areas that have been identified already include the Pumpkin Island ledges, the White Islands off Boothbay, areas around Matinicus and Seal Island, the Cutler shore and the shore east of Machias Bay. Any information on these or any other areas where fishermen have seen either herring spawn on their gear or “ripe” fish would be appreciated.
Herring and their spawn have characteristics which make this research approach feasible. The sticky, clumping nature of the herring spawn itself makes the spawning events noticeable and memorable, because spawn not only sticks to lobster gear when it is hauled, but also often requires moving the gear. Herring also spawn in large events, and often in specific and consistent locations from year to year. It is felt that some of these coastal spawning locations may no longer be in use, as the herring populations may have left these areas, and that this may be represent a significant change for coastal stocks.
This project is supported by the Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative and Maine Sea Grant, and is being conducted in conjunction with an ongoing field survey of current spawning areas. Any information is welcome.