River herring campaign

As anadromous fish, river herring spend most of their adult lives at sea, but return to fresh water to spawn in the spring. In these rivers and ponds, herring serve as food for other fish and birds and thousands of spectators on Cape Cod turn out every year to watch them "run." Despite all the work that has been done to remediate river herring spawning grounds, populations are not returning to their expected levels.

The Problem:

While many states forbid fishermen from catching river herring in order to protect the dwindling species, they are frequently picked up as bycatch of midwater trawlers during their time in the ocean, where they are nearly indistinguishable from sea herring.

What We’re Doing:

Through the Hook’s Nantucket Soundkeeper program, we recently completed a restoration project on Kescayogansett Pond in Orleans -- also known as Lonnie’s Pond – to improve access to the Pilgrim Lake fish ladder that river herring use to migrate to inland spawning grounds.

Our staff members are volunteering to count herring in local rivers to help paint a more accurate portrait of the fish’s population.

We are reaching out to town herring wardens and other concerned citizens to enlist help in protecting this invaluable part of Cape Cod’s history.

What You Can Do:

Do you have photos or videos of river herring? Send them to us or post them on our Facebook page.

Get involved with the Hook’s Herring Campaign. Keep an eye out for updates on events for herring enthusiasts this summer and contact Ben Martens at 508.945.2432 or bmartens@ccchfa.org for more information.

River Herring Restoration Support

Ellen and Richard Cuda Family Foundation
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Patagonia Boston
Gulf of Maine Council- NOAA Community-based Restoration Program

FACt sheet

sea herring campaign

River herring campaign