2014 benchmark stock assessment for menhaden shows no problems

[BasicPatrick]

Yep, finally the Atlantic Menhaden stocks are currently NOT experiencing overfishing, the bleeding has truly stopped. That is only step one. Many of the Northeast recreational organizations belong to something called the Menhaden Coalition. Here is a post I edited for length by one of the member orgs (Menhaden Defenders). I completely agree with this evaluation of the current situation.

....This is exciting for menhaden advocates because it means that the catch limits that we all fought for back in 2011/2012 have started to work.

The reduction industry doesn't share this opinion, and feels that this announcement is a green light to continue business as usual and go back to unlimited catch. But those of us on the water know otherwise. There are still many areas along the coast that are NOT seeing menhaden, either juvenile or adult. While the latest announcement is awesome news and just the beginning of good things to come, its important to realize that we are still closer to the bottom than we are to the top when it comes to stock status.

It will be exciting to watch as Omega protein, the one and only company that still grinds bunker up (reduction) for fish meal and oil fights to increase and retain their own catch limits as the bait sector (think recreational fishing, crab & lobster bait) struggles to provide domestic fisherman with fresh whole baitfish with a small and limited allocation.

Its unfortunate and hard to believe that in recent years the bait sector has chosen to align with Omega as we (Menhaden Defenders) have always advocated for a 70/30 split (70% reduction,30% bait) but profit monger Omega has yet to yield and help family owned and operated guys out. We recall vividly from back in the day that the recreational anglers actually fought together with the bait boats/pound netters to kick Omega out of (NJ and other) state waters.

Menhaden Defenders and the overall Menhaden Coalition still has work to do. We can not back off promoting conservation and moderation of catch of the "most important fish in the sea" until we have a balanced population at historic ABUNDANT levels from Maine to Florida!