This herring fishing is overseen by the California Department of Fish and Game; the herring population is in a downward trend, although not from excessive fishing pressure with the net techniques in use, but rather from ocean environmental factors. Herring spend most of their lives in the open ocean and come to Richardson Bay and other estuaries for winter spawning in the shallow protected waters.
The California Department of Fish and Game oversees herring fishing, and while there isn't overfishing with current methods, the herring population is declining due to environmental factors affecting the ocean environment. Herring travel from the open ocean to shallower waters in estuaries like Richardson Bay for their winter breeding season.