River Herring / Alewives

[Overkill]

Is there a market for or interest in river herring / alewives
for striper bait? I have access to a large LEGAL supply of
them and thinking of vacuum packing and freezing them.
If so how many in a pack? Any interest or contacts would be
great.

 

[Jackson]

Live, there would be a large demand for them in my area (Brooklyn, NY)

 

[Raider Ronnie]

Not sure about other states but Ma. It's illegal to have in your possession.
Thought most of the north east was under the same ban.

 

[Tunascapes]

Are these the ones the mid water boats have been sucking up all winter in RI?

 

[plowin]

Bing! Bing! Bing! we have a winner!

 

[Overkill]

Are these the ones the mid water boats have been sucking up all winter in RI?

No. Maine has many runs that sustaine commercial harvests. They are managed jointly by the States and ASFMC. The harvest in other states was stopped due to poor management by those states.(IMO) Maine has runs that are as large or close to as large as most of the other states combined. By-catch is a problem but not the biggest one. The more fish there are, the more by- catch there will be. Directed fishing on them at sea in not legal and if it is happening should be reported and stopped. Just trying to add a little value to them and explore uses beyond lobster bait.

 

[plowin]

The mid water boats have not been fishing directly for river herring but it is well known and documented that one of the largest incidental catches of river herring by mid water trawlers is during there winter fishery for sea herring and mackerel in that very location at that very time.

 

[yanmar]

Also illegal to have in NJ too ...............

 

[sneakypete]

Illegal in Maryland now too.