Big changes about small fish might be in store for fishermen

Federal fishing managers are considering a host of potentially major changes to the fishery for herring.

Herring is a small, schooling fish that is the subject of a major industry on the East Coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said a recent assessment of the stock shows the fish in decline.

The regulatory New England Fishery Management Council is set to vote on the future of the herring fishery on Tuesday. The fish are important because they serve as key bait for the lobster and tuna industries.

They are also a vitally important part of the marine ecosystem because they serve as food for whales, seals and large fish. The management council is considering changes that could result in a lower harvest of herring in future years.