Since 2004, it has been illegal to catch herring in Mattapoisett due to its low numbers. The moratorium placed on the fish has allowed its numbers to grow slowly and steadily. But from 2011 to 2012, the growth has been incredible.
“The reason for the growth is that we’ve had great weather,” said Mattapoisett Herring Inspector Bob Martin. “We haven’t had a lot of rain.”
Due to the small amount of rain, the gates in the river have been closed so the herring run had a lot of water in it, providing a safe place for herring. According to Martin, the increased herring count has several positive benefits.
“It means a lot for the environment,” he said. “It is a big fish for stripers and whales.”
With increased herring, it will attract more fish to the area so that they can feed off the herring, ultimately providing local fisherman with more fish. Martin said if the herring continues to increase in numbers, fisherman can catch up to 50 bushels of fish when the moratorium is lifted.
The herring are tracked electronically. As they go through the tubes in the herring run, an electronic counter keeps track of all the fish. The counter is located in Snipatuit Pond near the headwaters of the Mattapoisett River.
In 2008, the herring count in Mattapoisett was 10,000 and it has steadily increased to 12,587, which was the count in 2011. However, in 2012, the count increased dramatically to 28,447.
Still, the count must be at least 50,000 before the moratorium is lifted, and Martin said the marine fisheries are doing everything they can to protect the limited fish.
“The herring is getting a lot of play all of a sudden,” he said. “The marine fisheries are doing everything they can to get people to stop catching them. Hopefully they are keeping the boats away from them.”
By Katy Fitzpatrick
