The Forage Fish Conservation Act, bipartisan legislation introduced last week by US representatives Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, and Brian Mast, a Florida Republican, aims to prevent the further decline of populations of forage fish, including herring and shad.

"Safeguarding fish stocks from further decline is critical to protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening coastal economies," Dingell said in a statement announcing HR 9821. "This legislation's science-based conservation framework for forage fish will both help promote sustainable fisheries and preserve marine wildlife for the enjoyment of future generations."

According to the statement, the bill would: require the commerce secretary to develop a science-based definition for forage fish in federal waters with advice from the fisheries councils; assess the impact a new commercial forage fish fishery could have on existing fisheries, fishing communities and the marine ecosystem prior to the fishery being authorized; and account for predator needs in existing management plans for forage fish.

It would also: specify that managers consider forage fish when establishing research priorities; ensure scientific advice sought by fishery managers includes recommendations for forage fish; conserve and manage river herring and shad in the ocean; and preserve state management of forage fish fisheries that occur within their jurisdiction.

The bill has been endorsed by the National Audubon Society and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. 

Forage fish are essential for seabirds, larger fish, marine life, and the economy, said Romaric Moncrieffe, marine conservation policy manager for the National Audubon Society. 

Dingell and Mast last introduced the bill in 2021. As Undercurrent News previously reported, the legislation was addressed at a Nov. 2021 hearing called by the House Natural Resources Committee's oceans panel. 

Marc Gorelnik, chair of the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Council Coordination Committee, commented that while forage fish are "clearly important," the issue stands with regional differences.

"[R]egional differences in fisheries may make it difficult to define forage fish with a one size fits all description or criteria," said Gorelnik.