[Sam]

Rhode Island might soon follow the lead of Connecticut and several other East Coast states in trying to protect the menhaden, a member of the herring family.


The fish is usually prized more for fertilizer and oil than for human consumption. Now, Rhode Island lawmakers want to ban netting the fish in Narragansett Bay.
Recreational fishermen think a ban will help rebuild stocks of striped bass, one of the fish that feed on menhaden. But lobstermen say a ban could hurt their business because they use menhaden to bait their traps.