May 5, 2015 — In a decision that appears to have given some satisfaction to fishermen and environmentalists, fishery managers decided to increase the coastwide catch of menhaden by 10 percent.
It comes two seasons after decreased catch limits were imposed on the fishery by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission — the body that manages the fishery. That was the first time any catch limits were placed on menhaden.
“The past couple of seasons have been difficult for many in the fishery, including our purse seiners, gillnetters, poundnetters and shoreside businesses,” said Greg DiDomenico, of the Garden State Seafood Association and member of the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition. “Today’s decision doesn’t make us whole, but it puts us back on the right course with potential for additional increases based on sound, science-backed management.”
The ASMFC voted to increase the total allowable catch to 187,880 metric tons for 2015 and 2016, up from 170,800 tons.
Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press