Recreational fishing groups petition to halt menhaden harvest

A coalition of recreational fishing boat captains, bait and tackle shops, and partyboat operators has filed a formal request with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to halt the industrial harvest of menhaden. The group is seeking an immediate seasonal closure in the New York Bight—the ocean waters between New York and New Jersey—to mitigate impacts on the regional fall fishing season.

The 54-page petition requests that the federal government establish a permanent seasonal halt to industrial reduction fishing from May 1 through December 31 each year. The coalition argues that current industrial practices are causing destructive ecological and economic consequences for the recreational and commercial fisheries that depend on the region.

In response, representatives for major menhaden harvesting companies, including Ocean Harvesters of Virginia and Omega Protein, have cited federal findings stating that menhaden are not overfished. They contend that observed local population declines are primarily the result of migrating populations rather than overharvesting.