ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is proposing to modify the fishing mortality (F) reference points for Atlantic menhaden. This, in turn, could lead to significant cutbacks in future menhaden landings by both bait fishermen and those who harvest menhaden for reduction into fish meal and oil.
Forty-four representatives from a broad range of industry associations, harvesters, processors, and dealers signed on to a July 26 letter urging ASMFC’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board to “conduct a careful, open, and inclusive process before developing any new coastwide menhaden management system.”
The signatories stated, “Creating a new management plan from scratch is a major undertaking that deserves serious analysis of the environmental and economic impacts. There are a large number of stakeholders who are only just becoming aware that their livelihoods are in jeopardy. They deserve a chance to have their voices heard.”
The letter was presented to ASMFC commissioners just prior to the menhaden board’s Aug. 2 meeting in Alexandria. At that meeting, the board voted to send Draft Addendum V to Amendment 1 of the interstate menhaden plan out for public comment
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