Herring may get protection

Sun., Aug. 8, 2004

Associated Press

SEATTLE – The federal agency in charge of protecting marine life agreed Thursday to review whether Cherry Point herring deserve protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The fish, a crucial part of the food chain that supports salmon and killer whales, have suffered a steep population decline at Cherry Point, near two oil refineries and a smelter in the Bellingham area.

Their population has dropped 90 percent over the past three decades, according to the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance, one of the environmental groups urging NOAA Fisheries to list the species for protection.

“This is a first step toward recovery of Cherry Point herring,” said Dave Werntz, science director for the alliance. “Federal fisheries biologists agree that Cherry Point herring may be headed toward extinction and deserve help.”

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Herring may get protection

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