Please read the highlights below to get a sense of what is coming our way in terms of Atlantic Menhaden (bunker) Quota and Ecosystem Management. Please reach out by phone, email, or handwrittenleter to your state’s individual Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commisioners.
Click here to contact commissioners.
On May 5, the ASFMC will make pivotal votes about the 2015 Atlantic menhaden quota and could begin work to change future management, including conservation and allocation decisions. The ASMFC could increase the quota for this year with no understanding of the impact on predators like striped bass, or managers could adopt ecosystem goals and advance responsible management of this most important fish in the sea.
- Managers should not increase the 2015 quota for menhaden unless they leave enough in the ocean as food for predators.
- Current quota shortages should be addressed by reallocation or trading, not by sacrificing coast wide conservation.
- Despite some positive trends, Atlantic menhaden is still in need of conservation.
- The ASFMC should not increase the menhaden catch limit without providing for predators.
- The ASMFC should adopt ecosystem-based management of menhaden.
- The ASFMC should not increase the catch without reallocation.
ASMFC commissioner information can be found at this website link:
http://www.asmfc.org/about-us/
Further details and charts about this important fishery issue can be seen here:
