The latest findings from NOAA's Fisheries of the U.S. report highlight the menhaden industry’s contributions to port communities along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
October 29, 2014 — The following was released by the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition:
The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition is pleased to note that five of the nation’s top ten ports are largely supported by the commercial menhaden fishery, according to NOAA's latest Fisheries of the United States report, released today. In Reedville, Va., Empire-Venice, La., Intracoastal City, La., Cameron, La., and Pascagoula-Moss Point, Ms., local economies are benefitting from the menhaden fishery. Those in the Gulf also made recent headlines as the subject of praise for the menhaden fishery’s sustainable operations.
The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition is a collective of more than 30 coastal menhaden businesses and supporting industries representing menhaden fisherman along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.
Montgomery Diehl, Senior Director of Fishing Plant Operations at Omega Protein Corporation, which produces fish meal and fish oil derived from menhaden harvested in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, remarked, “We’re proud that our contributions to these port communities through fishing support job creation for local economies. These communities help our business prosper, and we’re committed to their success as well, through continued economic contributions and community service."
Daybrook Fisheries, based in Louisiana with commercial menhaden operations exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico, shared similar sentiments. "This latest data further highlights the important role the Gulf menhaden industry plays not only in the Gulf states, but also in the United States as a healthy, well-managed and sustainable fishery," said Borden Wallace, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Daybrook Fisheries.
Menhaden is a primary source of omega-3 fatty acids, with the most DPA omega-3 fatty acids of any other fish oil. Omega-3 supplements derived from menhaden in the form of fish meal and fish oil help fill the nutritional gap in healthy fatty acids that is prevalent among Americans, reducing the risk of heart disease and many other illnesses.
About Omega Protein Corporation
Omega Protein Corporation (NYSE:OME) is a century old nutritional company that develops, produces and delivers healthy products throughout the world to improve the nutritional integrity of functional foods, dietary supplements and animal feeds. Omega Protein’s mission is to help people lead healthier lives with better nutrition through sustainably sourced ingredients such as highly-refined omega-3 rich fish oil, specialty proteins and nutraceuticals.
About Daybrook Fisheries, Inc.
One of the first U.S. fisheries companies to adopt a Responsible Fisheries Implementation Plan, Daybrook Fisheries has made responsible, sustainable fishing practices a key component of its business plan. The company actively participates in all state and federal management programs and is an Ocean Trust partner. Daybrook Fisheries’ manufacturing facility is certified by Global Trust as an International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organization-Responsible Supplier (IFFO-RS).
About the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition
The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition is a collective of menhaden fisherman, related businesses, and supporting industries. Comprised of over 30 businesses along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition conducts media and public outreach on behalf of the menhaden industry to ensure that members of the public, media, and government are informed of important issues, events, and facts about the fishery.