Birds win in historic change of menhaden harvest limits
On 9 November the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopted a
new limit reference point (i.e., threshold) that is substantially more
conservative than the present one: 15% Maximum Spawning Potential (up from 8%
MSP). They also adopted the most conservative target option (40%MSP). This
regulatory change means that catches will be reduced by about 28% compared to
the average catch for the past 5 years, leaving approximately 60,000 metric
tons of additional menhaden for the broader ecosystem. This change represents
a win for osprey, common loons, northern gannets, brown pelicans, royal terns
and the many other birds that depend on these fish in the Chesapeake Bay.
Nearly 100,000 comments were submitted to the Commission on menhaden as of
November 2. Of these, the overwhelming majority of comments (approximately
90%) supported the most conservative option for a new threshold. For those of
you who expressed your support for a change in regulations on behalf of birds,
your voice was heard. Thank you.
Bryan D. Watts, Director
Center for Conservation Biology,
College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University
