James Sulikowski weighs in on new herring quotas

James Sulikowski recently discussed new herring quotas with 'NBC Boston'
James Sulikowski recently discussed new herring quotas with 'NBC Boston'

New quotas on herring are forcing Maine lobstermen to look at new types of bait for their catch.

The new regulations, put into effect by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the New England Fishery Management Council, are designed to protect the dwindling herring population.

James Sulikowski, Ph.D., professor in the School of Marine Programs, recently discussed the quotas with NBC Boston.

“We have to protect the adults that are spawning," he said.

Lobstermen say the changes could reduce their herring haul by 75 percent.

Sulikowski said a herring collapse could disrupt an entire New England ocean ecosystem because the fish are prey for many other predators. He believes the herring numbers will improve once scientists figure out what is causing the decline.

"There are lots of different factors, from environmental change to predation," he explained.

Watch the report on NECN and WCSH.

James Sulikowski being interviewed by NBC Boston's Dustin Wlodkowski
James Sulikowski being interviewed by NBC Boston's Dustin Wlodkowski

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The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.