From the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife:

Populations of blueback herring and alewife, collectively known as river herring, have plummeted during the past 20 years and continue to decline. River herring live in saltwater, but return to fresh water to spawn in the spring where they are vulnerable to over-fishing.

In an effort to help protect this important wildlife resource, plain-clothes NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers worked for more than 14 months and compiled evidence on at least 16 people for taking more than the legal daily limit of herring, having more than the possession limits and for illegally selling herring.

More detailed information on river herring and the undercover investigation can be viewed on the Divisions Web site.

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