Pacific Wild has alerted us to the opportunity to provide DFO with our thoughts on the herring roe fishery. The ACS is responding in support of a reduction in this fishery that drastically reduces a key support of the food chain that, in the local ocean, leads to the southern resident killer whales.
Herring are a critical food source for chinook and coho salmon and a valuable link in the food chain which supports not only these salmonids but also numerous other fish species. By extension, herring also support the salmon eating resident Orcas and other marine mammal species.
The Amalgamated Conservation Society would like to see the commercial roe/reduction herring fishery curtailed but, at a very minimum, suggest that quotas be reduced by 30% coastwide – to take effect immediately.
DFO is taking comments until January 9. You may express your own thoughts on this issue to:
Victoria Postlethwaite
Pelagic Management Unit
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
1420-401 Burrard Street
Vancouver BC V6C 3S4
phone 604-666-7851
email victoria.postlethwaite@dfo-mpo.gc.ca