CHOIR: Coalition for the Atlantic Herring Fishery's Orderly, Informed, and Responsible Long-Term Development

About Us

What is CHOIR?

The CHOIR Coalition was formed in 2002 by commercial and recreational fishermen to advocate for the responsible development of the Atlantic Herring Fishery in the face of a growing fleet of midwater single and pair trawlers.

Since its conception, the Coalition has increased its membership to include ecotourism businesses and other concerned ocean user groups. In joining these traditionally disparate groups, CHOIR has gained credibility with decision makers on both regional and national levels.

CHOIR fully supports the herring fishery. Herring is an important source of bait for the lobster season and product for the canneries and freezers plants. CHOIR has supported and worked together with the purse seine and fixed gear herring fishermen and continues to support them.

Our concern is about a specific gear type – midwater trawling (pair trawling especially) – being used as it now in the inshore area. This fishery was supposed to be an offshore fishery but the majority of fishing effort is inshore. We are also concerned with the lack of monitoring in the herring fishery.

Charter Members
East Coast Tuna Association
North Shore Community Tuna Association
General Category Tuna Association
Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association

Supporting Organizations
(Some of the 650 groups/businesses/etc. that have supported CHOIR initiatives in the past. Click Here to see latest list)

Commercial Fishing Groups
Georges Bank Cod Fixed Gear Sector
Georges Bank Cod Hook Sector
Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance
Downeast Lobstermen’s Association
New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Stonington Fisheries Alliance
Downeast Fixed Gear Association
Downeast Groundfish Initiative
Midcoast Fishermen’s Association
Port Clyde Draggermen’s Co-Op
Cobscook Bay Fishermen’s Association
Northeast Hook Fishermen’s Association
IFISH
New Hampshire Marine Coalition
Miss Halie Fisheries
Friendship Fisheries
Burton G. Fisheries
Christina M. Fisheries
Hub Air International Ltd.
Maguro America, Inc.
FWF, Inc.
Nantucket Fish Company
Quahog Lobster Inc.

Recreational Fishing Groups and Clubs
Recreational Fishing Alliance
Massachusetts Striped Bass Association
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
Plum Island Surfcasters
Coastal Conservation Association
Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association
New York Sportfishing Federation
Northeast Tuna Club
Freeport (NY) Tuna Club
Boston Big Game Fishing Club

Charter Fishing Groups
National Association of Charterboat Operators
Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association
Northeast Charter Boat Captains Association
Maine Association of Charterboat Captains
Connecticut Charter/Party Boat Association

Charter/Guide/Tackle Businesses
Yellowboat Charters
Bunny Clark, Corp.
Portland Guide Service
FlyfishMaine.com
Tightlines Tackle Co.
Saco Bay Tackle
Bigger N’ Better Sportfishing Charters, ME
Quoddy Dam Charter Boats, ME
Shark Five Charters, ME
Reel Action Charters, ME
Lethal Weapon Charters, ME
Kittery Deep Sea Fishing, LLC
Damriscotta River Charters
Capt. Doug Jowett Flyfishing Charters, ME
Pritnear Charters, ME
Harris Deep Sea Fishing, ME
Offshore Adventures Sportfishing, ME
Lady J Sportfish Charters, ME
Saco Bay Guide Service
Rip Tide Charters, ME
Asticou Charter Boat Co., ME
Maine Fishing and Diving Charters
Maven’s Guide Service, ME
Fish Tale Charters, ME
Super Fly Charters, ME
Lucas Marine, LLC
Hiltons Sport Dock, Newburyport, MA
Offshore Pursuits Premium Tackle, MA
The Hook Up! Tackle Store and Charters, MA
Sandy B Fishing Charters, MA
Kayman Charters, MA
North Coast Angler, MA
Merrimack River Charters
Cape Ann Tuna Charter
Offshore Adventures, MA
Rings Island Charters, MA
Maverick Charters, Ltd., MA
Massachusett’s Bay Guides
Fishing Finatics Tackle, MA
Bigfish II Sportfishing Charters, MA
Boston Fishstix Guide Service, MA
Striperking Charters, MA
Black Dog Charters, MA
Striper Moon Charters, MA
Calexa Charters, MA
Outer Cape Sportfishing, MA
Joppa Tern Charters, MA
Capeshores Charters, MA
Yankee Charters, MA
Kelly Ann Charters, MA
Capeshores Charters, MA
Summer Job Charters, MA
Sushi Sportfishing, Inc., NC
Sushi Hunter Charters,NH
Captain Bills Charters,NH
Camp Ocean Adventures, NH
Triple Play Charters, NH
Northwind Charters, NH
Reel Jerk Sportfishing Co., NH
White Ghost guide Services Ltd., RI
Kerratim Charters Inc., RI
Block Island Sportfishing Charters, RI
Benmar Custom Charters, CT
Reel Crazy Sportfishing, CT
Kingfisher Charters, CT

Whale Watch Companies
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company
Harris Whale Watch
New Horizons Cruise Company
Deborah Anne Whale Watch
Yankee Whale Watching
Cape Ann Whale Watch
Granite State Whale Watch
Newburyport Whale Watch
Atlanic Fishing & Whale Watch (NH)
Portuguese Princess Whale Watch
Boothbay Harbor Whale Watch

Ecotourism Businesses
Aquaterra Adventures Sea Kayak Tours
Ardea Eco-Expeditions LLC
Bar Harbor Ferry Company
Coastal Kayaking Tours
Cranberry Cove Ferry Company
Downeast Nature Tours
Downeast Windjammer Tours
Lulu Lobster Boat Ride, Inc.
Sea Venture Custom Boat Tours
Old Quarry Ocean Adventures, Inc.
Acadian Nature Tour & New Horizons Cruise Co.

Researchers and educators
Allied Whale
The Lobster Conservancy
Friends of Maine Seabird Islands
Whale Center of New England
Cape Cod Stranding Network
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
Maine League of Conservation Voters
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
Audobon Society-Seabird Restoration Program
Blue Ocean Society
Island Institute
Bar Harbor Whale Museum

Other
Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina
Marine Systems Custom Boats
Mariner Fuel Service, Lynn, MA
JC Boat
On The Water Magazine
Barnacle Billy’s, Inc.
Goose Hummock Shops
Willis of New Hampshire
Dumont Property Group
Boatwise, LLC., NH
Northeast Merchant Systems, Inc., MA
Chaliflour’s Flowers, Gift & Gourmet, NH
Gourmetgiftbaskets.com, NH
SAM Mechanical Services, LLC.
Blue Sea Fisheries

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Last updated: September 16, 2014

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