Herring Fisheries Commission

Mission Statement

in 1717, Isaac Barker and Ephraim Nichols were empowered to hire a man or men to join the neighboring Indians to clear the herring brook, and to prosecute anyone that was obstructing the waterway from the alewife migration. From that time to the present the town of Pembroke has hired or elected committees and commissions to assist in the regulation of the fishery. Currently the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has full authority and sets all rules and regulations about alewife and a number of other species. In 1782 there was evidence of restocking alewife each year to bring the fish back to what they were 300 years ago. Today, our mission is to keep the rivers, streams, brooks and ponds clear of debris for the safe passage of the alewife herring fishery. We will work to educate the public about keeping cleaner ponds, streams and rivers and the migration of our fish. We will respect landowner's rights by notifying them of our proposed duties well in advance. In order to keep up with today's rules and regulations, federal, state and local laws the following is recommended.


Updated 4/23/2019


Pembroke’s herring population has been increasing steadily over the past few years due in part to the work clearing the fishways in town.  This work is done by The Herring Fisheries Commission and some helpful volunteers

You can help Pembroke’s growing herring population by obeying the state law that prohibits bothering the fish in any way.   You can use the contact information below to report any molestation of herring in our waterways.  

A recap of state law says that no person, firm, or corporation may knowingly possess, take, disturb, mutilate, destroy, cause to be destroyed, transfer, sell, offer to sell, or molest herring.  

Report a Violation:  

State EPO:  1-800-632-8075

Pembroke Police:   781-293-6363   

Emergency:   Bill Boulter        781-389-4548

Pembroke Herring Fisheries Commission

NamePositionTerm ExpiresTelephoneEmail

Superintendent

2025

781-389-4548

Robert McCarthy

Assistant Superintendent

2025

617-538-6949

Robert McCarthy, Jr.

Safety Officer

2024

617-272-6590

Secretary/Treasurer

2026

781-983-3035

Teresa Harling

Commissioner

2026

617-686-7274

Christos Kapoutsos

Commissioner

2024

617-688-5419

Commissioner

2024

339-203-2477

Jack Boulter

Alternate

2026

781-422-9049

Virginia McCarthy

Alternate

2025

774-274-0379

Andrew Queenan

Jr. Member

Feed