The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has confirmed that Atlantic menhaden stocks remain sustainable, according to its latest stock assessment released Thursday. The report, issued ahead of the commission’s meeting in two weeks, concludes that menhaden are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring.
Using the updated Beaufort Assessment Model, scientists re-evaluated coastwide populations and adjusted natural mortality rates after correcting an earlier tagging error. The revision produced slightly lower biomass and spawning potential estimates and slightly higher fishing pressure, but egg production remains above the threshold needed to sustain the population.
Menhaden landings have held steady under the current total allowable catch of 233,550 metric tons for 2023–2025. About 70 percent of that total came from the reduction fishery, primarily Omega Protein in Reedville, which processes menhaden into fish meal and oil. The bait fishery, which supports blue crab, lobster, and recreational fisheries, harvested about 50,000 metric tons in 2023.
Juvenile indices show strong recruitment in 2016 and again from 2021 to 2023, while adult abundance remained high through 2022 before a natural dip last year. Projections suggest that, under current limits, the fishery will stay within sustainable levels through at least 2028, with only a 4 percent chance of exceeding ecological thresholds.
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Finally some good news. Hopefully Cape Charles can address this continuing problem.
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