The New England Fishery Management Council has launched an effort called Amendment 10 to address the detrimental effects of commercial fishing for Atlantic herring in New England. For this effort, decision makers need better information on where user conflicts have occurred with this fleet.

In response, this survey is being conducted by a coalition of recreational and commercial fishing groups and fishermen, conservation nonprofits, and others to help determine where those interactions take place and their impacts. User conflicts could include direct gear interactions including gear loss; loss of fishing or recreational opportunities because of an absence of prey (bait); or other disruptions to fishing or recreational opportunities attributable to the directed herring fishery.

Through this survey, you can share past experiences with the commercial Atlantic herring fleet. Responses will be analyzed to understand the nature and severity of user conflicts with the herring fleet, which can inform the design of one or more new "buffer" zones that reflect the needs of recreational and commercial fishermen and other ocean users.

The commercial Atlantic herring fleet refers to vessels fishing with midwater trawl, small-mesh bottom trawl, and purse seine gear. Over 95% of herring catch comes from these vessels.