The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) on August 2 received an updated stock assessment that shows Atlantic menhaden is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. These positive conclusions mirror the results of the ASMFC’s 2015 benchmark assessment of Atlantic menhaden, which showed a healthy and sustainable stock, as reported by the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition.
The 2017 Atlantic Menhaden Stock Assessment Update, prepared by the ASMFC’s Atlantic Menhaden Stock Assessment Subcommittee using data through the 2016 fishing year, shows that fishing mortality remains well below the ASMFC’s target levels. The assessment further indicates the target has not been exceeded for many years; this includes 2012, when the ASMFC cut Atlantic menhaden catch rates by 20% based on a flawed stock assessment.
“We’ve maintained for years that Atlantic menhaden is being managed sustainably and today’s update assessment continues to prove our case,” said Peter Himchak, senior fisheries scientist at Omega Protein, a member of the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition.