The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) released a new report showing that the Gulf menhaden fishery has continued to be harvested sustainably and managed effectively. At its annual meeting this past week, GSMFC approved the 2024 Gulf of Mexico Stock Assessment, which confirmed that the Gulf menhaden stock is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing.
According to sources, an updated stock assessment hasn’t been completed since 2021, but the newest assessment includes new data from 2021 to 2023. In addition to the conclusion showing no overfishing, the assessment showed positive news for other key metrics of the stock’s health. The spawning stock biomass, which is the combined weight of all fish capable of reproducing, has continued to rise steadily since the 1990s and remains at a sustainable level. The assessment also shared that fishing mortality rates decreased in the 1990s and 2000s and have remained at lower levels.
“The results of this assessment reaffirm the responsible and effective management of the Gulf menhaden fishery and its long-term sustainability,” said Ben Landry, vice president of public affairs for Ocean Fleet Services. “Our industry is committed to maintaining healthy fish populations, and this assessment highlights the success of the collaborative efforts of industry, scientists, and fishery managers.”
The main highlights from the assessment include increased spawning stock biomass, with Gulf menhaden showing consistent growth in reproductive capacity over the past three decades. Low fishing mortality rates, as fishing pressure has remained at a reduced level, ensure sustainability. Stock health remains strong and is not overfished.
The stock assessments released in 2021 and 2018 reached similar conclusions: the stock was healthy, and overfishing was not occurring. GSMFC Menhaden Advisory Committee recommended that the following operational assessment be conducted in 2027 unless significant new data warrants a prior review.
Menhaden is a popular bait option in the Gulf for blue crab, crayfish, and other species, similar to how Atlantic menhaden is used. Earlier this summer, the Massachusetts Division of Maine Fisheries acknowledged a conflict due to competing activities of catching menhaden for bait within the lobster industry and bait for local fishermen and tackle shops. They mentioned that the harvest of the species is a shared resource and further instilled a sense of collective responsibility between the recreational and commercial sectors.
According to NOAA Fisheries, Atlantic menhaden has grown since 1985 and is one of the most selective and effective fisheries with little bycatch. Though Gulf and Atlantic menhaden are species of fish belonging to the same genus and share physical characteristics, they are two distinct populations with slightly different behaviors and migration patterns.
