Federal Resources
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service-;“NMFS” or “NOAA Fisheries” is responsible for the management, conservation and protection of living marine resources within the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone (water three to 200 mile offshore). NMFS does not manage river herring directly, but manages species of fish that eat river herring, and manages fisheries that catch river herring as bycatch.
The NMFS Office of Protected Resources has listed river herring as a Species of Concern. This office coordinates the Technical Expert Working Group for River Herring.
River Herring Publication-http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/species/riverherring_detailed.pdf
New England Fishery Management Council is one of the eight regional Councils established by the Magnuson Stevens Act. It is responsible for writing Fishery Management Plans for fish species that are caught from 3-200 miles off the coast of New England States.
NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Office works with the Council, and oversees fisheries management in New England.
NMFS Northeast Science Center conducts ecosystem-based research and assessments of living marine resources, with a focus on the Northeast Shelf, to promote the recovery and long-term sustainability of these resources, and to generate social and economic opportunities and benefits from their use.
NMFS Northeast Fisheries Sampling Branch Collects, processes and manages data and biological samples obtained during commercial fishing trips, for scientific and fisheries management purposes. Monitoring of river herring bycatch is coordinated through the Branch.
United States Geological Survey – The USGS Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory is located in Turners Falls Massachusetts, and conducts research directed towards restoration and protection of diadromous fishes. Studies have been conducted on many species such as river herring and sturgeon, and the lab is organized into four sections- Fish Passage, Phycology, Ecology, and Behavior.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Passage Program – USFWS works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The country is organized by Regions, and Massachusetts is part of Region 5, which includes states from Maine to Virginia. Region 5 Headquarters is in Hadley, MA.
Natural Resources Conservation Service is part of USDA and serves as a national funding organization for local habitat restoration projects. Some projects have assisted river herring. The Massachusetts office is based out of Amherst and there are several regional offices.