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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This study is inclusive of ALL the Atlantic states that share in the menhaden populations. The NE states no longer Omega to fish certain areas and the striped bass numbers are higher as a result. It’s take a several years for that ecosystem reset. We need a study of the menhaden population in the Chesapeake Bay. Sport fishing along with osprey populations are dwindling due to the impact of overfishing by Omega in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Omega has key politicians in their pocket.
Certain environmentilists too. Elections cost money and Omega has a lot to spread around.
And so it goes….
Wow, so deep state. Lemme guess, when you’re at the bar spouting nonsense, people ask for specifics and you call them stupid libs and provide zero evidence. Am I close?
Mr. Chevy, I am a lifetime Democrat and don’t drink at bars or do drugs so I suppose our paths are unlikely to cross.
That being said, if you do not believe that bribes are ubiquitous, you need to get out a little more often.
Mr. Ford, my apologies. I should have said: Wow, so deep state. Lemme guess, when you’re out spouting nonsense, people ask for specifics and you provide zero evidence. Am I close? Also, many people sit at bars in restaurants/diners and enjoy a nice meal, an iced tea, and a conversation. As for drugs, I don’t know where that came from. Still, what are your specifics? It’s a simple question to your very broad accusation.
Then you sir, are part of the problem in our country.
Who? Who are the “key” politicians?