It was quite a victory for the humble, unyummy but highly important menhaden (also called bunker) when the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) bucked a lot of pressure not to do anything (mainly from the neighboring state across the water, Ol' Virginny) and put in a catch limit on menhaden. Menhaden is not sleek and sexy, but it feeds a lot of glamorous sportfish; it's a vital link in the pelagic food chain.
" “When there’s bunker in the water, I have striped bass, weakfish and bluefish for my customers to catch,” said Capt. Paul Eidman, a charter boat captain from New Jersey and the president of the advocacy group Menhaden Defenders. “Without abundant menhaden in the water, my game fish go somewhere else.”
The main business that Omega Proteins in Virginia has been in has been taking out as much menhaden as they could to make omega-3 fatty acids and fish meal (mainly to feed farmed fish). Now, of course I've said that they've got to come up with tasty fish that eat plant protein and produce omega-3s, and I think back in my recent files they've been able to do some of that. But still, Omega Proteins has a big business, but the pressure from all the other states that don't have an Omega processing plant came to bear, and this led the ASMFC to really do the right thing this time and cut back.
Catch Limits Put on Menhaden
They reduced the harvest by 20%, which Omega said was a "deep cut". Sorry, since when unless you're trying to sway public opinion is a 20% cutback "deep"? 50%, that's deep.
This is good, real good, because it's a recognition that fisheries are not limitless and conservation is important to maintain the healthy functioning of the oceans. We as humans are putting tremendous negative pressure on the ocean environment; it's nice to see something that's positive, even if it's only a little.
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