Menhaden are truly the most important fish in the sea. They are a key forage species for countless predatory species. Menhaden feed on plankton. That means that this little fish cleans the water as it feeds as well as helping to convert the sun’s energy to protein. So, they provide a critical link in the food web between primary production and higher organisms.
Menhaden are currently managed as a single species meant for harvest. There was an overwhelming push in 2016 to manage menhaden for their ecological significance, Despite an enormous public outcry, the decision was made to wait until an updated stock assessment becomes available in 2019.
Currently, the lion’s share of menhaden harvest is being taken by Omega Corp out of a single port, Reedville, VA.
On March 6, the Richmond Times Dispatch reported that the bill from Governor Northam to keep the Virginia reduction fishery in compliance was killed by the House of Delegates. Omega Protein, a major political donor in Virginia, is fighting a ruling that gave them an 8% increase in quota because it also limited the amount
Striped bass in Maryland, menhaden in VA, and regional management for black seabass By Capt. John McMurray While there were many issues discussed, and action taken on several different species at last week’s ASMFC meeting, the below are what we felt were issues important to anglers. For the full meeting report, see the Commission’s 2018
Virginia files an appeal, because apparently, 80% of a public resource is not enough By Capt. John McMurray Last November, the ASMFC Menhaden Board met with the intention of finalizing Amendment 3 to the Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Management Plan. We wrote about the outcome here: With Menhaden, Here’s What Went Down. But the long and
If Commissioners don’t do the right thing next week, we risk immense localized depletion By Tony Friedrich Several of weeks ago, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, received a letter from John Bull, Virginia ASMFC commissioner stating, “Virginia hereby appeals the decision of the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board (the “Board”) to set the coast-wide total
2017 was a good year, but in the end, it can all go away pretty easily Let me be clear about something… I’m not done by any means. The stripers are still going, and for sure I’ll get a few, hopefully more than a few, more cracks at them. And, I’m pretty sure, or at
While things didn’t work out like we hoped they would, there is reason for hope… Having spent the last two days at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Menhaden Management Board meeting, we are of course disappointed at the outcome. While we’ve written about menhaden A LOT during the weeks prior to such meeting,
Next week, will ASMFC heed common sense and on-the-water experience? Last week, we received a brief release from the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition, titled National Wildlife Federation Revives Menhaden Myths with Latest Petition. The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition describes itself as “a coalition of menhaden fishermen, related businesses, and supporting industries,” and the release was exactly what
Download a printable (pdf) copy of this guide here. A Guide to Menhaden Am 3 In May 2015, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) initiated Amendment 3 to management plan for Atlantic menhaden. The purpose is to establish ecological management, and to review and possibly update state-by-state quota allocations. It is critical that the ASMFC
Starting next week, ASMFC is holding Menhaden Amendment 3 hearings… and we need to be there. We’re not going to wax this time about how recent aggregations of menhaden have created extraordinary conditions for fishermen targeting striped bass, sharks etc.., or all the other life the massive pods have drawn, most notably the whales. It’s
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Meeting Alexandria VA / August 1-3 2017. The overarching highlight of the ASMFC Summer Meeting was the Menhaden Management Board which continued development of Amendment 3 to the Menhaden Fishery Management Plan. The Board received a stock assessment update and as was expected, Menhaden remain healthy and are not overfished
