Reducing Atlantic Menhaden Catch Isn't Just Good for Striped Bass
Last week I wrote a short writeup about the recent results of the Chesapeake Young-of-Year 2025 Survey. You can read that HERE. In that article you will see, just specifically in the Chesapeake, there was good spawning results for Atlantic Menhaden. However, not only was that just in the Chesapeake, but it is only one piece of a greater puzzle.
A problem that we face now is that Atlantic Menhaden are being harvested at a rate which puts not only their overall survival at risk, but also all of the species of fish and animals that rely on them as a food source in jeopardy too. Menhaden are a key forage for not only striped bass, but tarpon, redfish, whales, birds, and more. They are a key component that ties a larger ecosystem together. Menhaden (aka Pogies and Bunker) are filter feeders that eat phytoplankton and zooplankton. These microscopic plants and animals are strained through Menhaden as they eat. Phytoplankton perform photosynthesis by using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce energy in the form of carbohydrates and release oxygen as a byproduct. So from photosynthesis to whales, Menhaden play an incredibly important role in our ecosystem. This is why the use of ERPs (ecological reference points) is so important to understanding and managing the ripple effects of harvest, management, and stock populations. Different than other single-species models that only research and report on how that single species is doing (growing, spawning, how many are caught, etc), ERPs will take into consideration the give-and-take between Menhaden harvest and their predator's population and overall health. So using ERPs in this specific case will not just manage Menhaden based on their specific needs/fishery, but it will help to navigate the management of the species/predators that feed on them (such as striped bass).
Back in 2020 the Atlantic States Fisheries Marine Commission (ASFMC) voted to include ERPs in their ongoing ecological management system for Atlantic Menhaden. This now makes their assessment more comprehensive to the bigger picture. Science based fisheries management is incredibly important for not only understanding the "what," but also the "how" and "why."
In 2023, the Menhaden harvest mortality rate was higher than updated ERP target. This means, in terms of striped bass, this pressure will not allow the overall population of stripers to thrive and grow without an adjustment to the menhaden biomass. It is estimated, recently, that Menhaden were over harvested by more than 275,000,000lbs. Additionally, errors in reporting with biased data has presented skewed information.
(photo: David Mangum)
"Four flaws were found in a large-scale tagging study including, underreporting fishing effort by 33.5%, 28% of tags not included, tag recovery efficiency was overstated, and tag reporting underreported by 13%. This all adds up to what fishermen have been saying for years, far too many menhaden are being removed from the ecosystem." (American Saltwater Guides Association)
We are at a time now where the TAC (total allowable catch) needs to be reduced by 55% in order to provide sufficient biomass of Atlantic Menhaden for Striped Bass (and other species that rely on them) to continue to succeed. There can be reform to the Striped Bass fishery, but all of that might be futile if their main food source (menhaden) are not managed in parallel as well.
On October 28th (2025), there will be a ASFMC Menhaden Management Board hearing regarding all of the information and concerns mentioned above. Public voices need to be expressed to help move the needle. You can do so through a number of different ways...
What YOU Can Do
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has put up a public letter/comment board to be submitted. You an see and submit that letter HERE
American Saltwater Guides Association has also put up an official letter to be submitted by the public. You can see and submit that letter HERE
Written by: Josh Thelin
Photos: Brian Gratwicke / David Mangum
