SAVE THE STRIPERS

CHESAPEAKE BAY MENHADEN REDUCTION FISHERY CAPPED

Focus Must Now Be On Research

11/06  With the Commonwealth of Virginia on board, on October 25th, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopted Addendum III to the Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Management Plan, effectively preventing the growth of the reduction industry by capping the catch of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay at the most recent 5-year average of 109,020 mt per year. NCMC participated in the October 25th meeting and has been working hard toward capping the industrial menhaden catch until more can be learned.

Many people believe even recent catch levels are too high - NCMC is among them. Unfortunately, we do not have the science to tell us what the catch levels should be. The research identified in the Addendum is needed to determine a safe and sustainable level of harvest for the long-term, not just in the bay, but coastwide.

From the beginning of the addendum process, we've been emphasizing that the cap is not an end in itself - it is only the beginning. The next step - the research - is absolutely critical.

NCMC will be following the progress of the research initiatives identified in the Addendum. The priorities are:

          1. Determine menhaden abundance in the Chesapeake Bay;
          2. Estimate removal of menhaden by predators;
          3. Evaluate the exchange of menhaden between bay and coastal systems; and
          4. Determine recruitment to the bay through larval studies.

While we agree with the above objectives, there must be vigorous oversight by the ASMFC to ensure that the resulting information can be incorporated into management decisions. We are also advocating at-sea monitoring of the reduction fleet and the release to the public of catch data. These measures will help ensure compliance with the cap, which is imperative to preventing harm from excessive catches during these interim years of research.

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Be sure to check out NCMC's newest publication, released August 2006:  Taking the Bait -- Are America's Fisheries Out-Competing Predators for their Prey?

Get more background on the Virginia menhaden issue

Read about Menhaden Matter's report detailing the economic importance of menhaden to the state of Virginia.

Learn more about our Save the Stripers campaign

Donate to our Save the Stripers campaign (part of our "Conserving Marine Ecosystems" program)