No harvesting of smelt by net will be allowed in Wareham’s Weweantic River for the next three years, following a vote by the Board of Selectmen at a Feb. 23 meeting.

The board’s vote followed the recommendations of Harbor Master Garry Buckminster and Brad Chase, a biologist from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

Buckminster explained that the numbers of smelt are too low for the historic fishing site, and suggested a three-year fishing closure.

“I think three years is reasonable,” Buckminster said. “It’s the same thing that we would do for a shellfish closure, and the state is going to be monitoring [the site].” 

After reviewing the state’s report, Selectman Alan Slavin — who said that he used to be heavily involved with the Divison of Marine Fisheries — supported the decision to close fishing. 

“There’s no question that fishing is in jeopardy and we need to do this,” Slavin said.

Buckminster emphasized that all the board could do was “stop the netting of smelt.” The Selectmen cannot prohibit general smelt fishing, he said.

“I apologize to the fishermen,” Buckminster said. “I know how this is a very deep-rooted fishery for many families.”

He added that he was hopeful the three-year closure would help solve the problem.