The following statement was released by Omega Protein, Inc. after today's vote by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to implement a 20% reduction in menhaden harvest.
BALTIMORE – Dec. 14, 2012 – Today the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) decided to implement a 20 percent reduction based on the 2009-2011 three year catch average for the menhaden bait and reduction fisheries.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the most recent menhaden stock assessment – the results of which are considered unreliable even by the ASMFC’s own scientific experts – today’s decision sends an unfortunate message. The Commission demonstrated that it is willing to act without valid information or definitive scientific findings.
“Omega Protein is disappointed by the Commission’s decision to adopt these harvest reductions,” said Bret D. Scholtes, CEO of Omega Protein. “In this already difficult economic climate, families who depend on this fishery deserve better. They are the backbone of hardworking coastal communities.”
Omega Protein has a time-tested reputation of working alongside regulators to ensure cooperative fisheries management based on sound scientific findings. Although today’s decision does not bolster confidence in the Commission’s current management approach, Omega Protein remains committed to participating in future management actions, and hopeful for more science based regulations that preserve both the menhaden resource and communities whose economies are sustained by working waterfronts.