Menhaden Fisheries Coalition

The Gulf menhaden fishery has earned recertification from the Marine Stewardship Council - MSC, the world’s leading certification body for sustainable fisheries. The MSC process is exhaustive, examining every dimension of the fishery’s performance: stock health, bycatch rates, environmental impacts, and regulatory oversight.

“MSC certification is a long-term commitment requiring continuous improvement and accountability, and the Gulf menhaden fishery’s performance underscores its dedication to sustainable practices,” said Marin Hawk, Senior Manager, Fishery Partnerships, U.S. at the Marine Stewardship Council. “We commend the fishery and all those involved for helping to safeguard the long-term sustainability of this important fishery.”

Sponsored: Accountability Certified: Louisiana's Most Scrutinized Fishery Just Got Recertified Sustainable. Here's What the Science Actually Shows. The Gulf menhaden fishery has earned its first recertification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) – the world’s leading certification body for sustainable fisheries – reaffirming its environmental performance and

Ocean Harvesters is fighting back against misinformation and regurgitated talking points from advocacy groups contained in a recent Baltimore Sun editorial.

Call to shut down menhaden fishery is unwarranted | READER COMMENTARY Reader commentary: A spokesman for a Virginia menhaden fishery pushes back on a Sun editorial that called for a moratorium on menhaden fishing.

“For me it’s God, family, and fish”: Meet the people behind Louisiana’s menhaden industry and hear what their work means to them.

Faces of the Gulf: Oceans of Opportunities Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

In the weeks since the 2025 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Annual Meeting, environmental and recreational fishing groups have spread a narrative that scientists “recommended” a 54% cut to the Atlantic menhaden catch. That claim is not only inaccurate but is contradicted by the meeting record itself. The Commission ultimately chose a conservative 20% cut, which presents a 0% chance of overfishing.

Scientists did not recommend a 54 percent cut to the menhaden TAC In the weeks following the 2025 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) annual meeting, a wave of statements from environmental and recreational fishing groups has told the public that Atlantic menhaden scientists “recommended” a 50 to 54 percent cut to the coastwide total allowable ...

The Gulf menhaden fishery supports more than 2,000 jobs and generates over $419 million in economic output. But in recent years, burdensome regulations have closed off key fishing grounds, threatening Louisiana’s coastal communities.

Science, Jobs, and Balance: Rethinking Louisiana’s Menhaden Buffer Zone Louisiana’s working coast has long depended on the Gulf menhaden fishery - a sustainable industry that supports more than 2,000 jobs, contributes $419 million annually, generates $25 million in state

The menhaden industry has provided a way of life for generations of Louisiana families: “It’s what put clothes on my back when I was a kid and my dad’s back when he was a kid.”

Faces of the Gulf: A History of Familiar Faces Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

The ASMFC’s own scientists have said repeatedly that there is not a scientific basis for the Chesapeake Bay menhaden harvest cap. A new Science Center for Marine Fisheries project will produce a research roadmap for menhaden in the Bay, representing a long-overdue opportunity to ground Bay management in sound science.

Menhaden Fisheries Coalition Applauds Science-Based Review of Chesapeake Bay Cap — MENHADEN FISHERIES COALITION Menhaden Fisheries Coalition Applauds Science-Based Review of Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Harvest Cap Coalition supports new SCEMFIS-funded research roadmap to develop ecological foundation for Bay management; regulators' statements confirm current cap not based on science WASHINGTON, DC / October 24, 2...

A Maryland Department of Natural Resources survey of the Chesapeake Bay found “Atlantic menhaden…were widespread in the Bay for the third consecutive year.” The findings, along with recent fish kills in Baltimore, directly contradict claims from industry opponents that there are no menhaden in Maryland waters.

Maryland's Annual Striped Bass Survey Finds Menhaden Abundant — MENHADEN FISHERIES COALITION Maryland's Annual Striped Bass Survey Finds Menhaden Abundant in Chesapeake Bay for Third Consecutive Year WASHINGTON, DC / October 15, 2025 SUMMARY: The Maryland DNR's 2025 survey confirms Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay are "widespread for the third consecutive year." This reinforces last....

With the 20th anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita this year, Louisianians are reflecting on the devastation of those storms and remembering those who stepped up to help. In more recent years, MFC-member Omega Protein responded to Hurricanes Ida and Laura by mobilizing relief supplies, organizing fundraising efforts, and giving directly to the hardest hit areas. The menhaden industry takes pride in being a good neighbor and giving back to the communities where we live and work—especially in times of crisis. Read more here:

Menhaden Industry Steps Up for Local Communities in Wake of Hurricanes With the 20th anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita upon us, Louisianians are thinking back to that devastation and remembering all those who helped us get through those difficult times.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation made multiple false and misleading claims about the menhaden fishery in its press release on a new aerial survey of osprey nesting. No menhaden sets were made by the industry in the survey area immediately before or during the survey. CBF also named the wrong fishing company, made false claims about the industry’s contributions to science, and misled on the many factors that impact the Bay’s osprey dynamics. Read more here:

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Continues to Spread Menhaden Misinformation — MENHADEN FISHERIES COALITION Chesapeake Bay Foundation Continues to Spread Menhaden Misinformation WASHINGTON, DC / June 30, 2025 The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) issued a press release on June 25, 2025 that includes multiple false and misleading claims, omits important context, and makes unfounded accusations that misrepres...

A recent article on menhaden by “What’s Up? Media” echoes the claims of well-funded special interest environmental groups while ignoring the extensive scientific evidence and stakeholder voices that contradict their narrative. We’ve separated the facts from the fictions here:

'What's Up? Media' Article on Menhaden Fails to Tell Both Sides — MENHADEN FISHERIES COALITION ‘What's Up? Media’ Article on Menhaden Fails to Tell Both Sides WASHINGTON, DC / May 16, 2025 A recent article by Lisa Lewis in What's Up? Media ("The Osprey-Menhaden Bay Connection," 5/16) presents a one-sided perspective that echoes the claims of a well-funded coalition of special interest env...

A widely shared study claiming a lack of menhaden as the cause of osprey nest failures in the Chesapeake Bay has come under fire from a trio of Virginia fisheries scientists.

Osprey troubles not tied to menhaden, some fisheries scientists say A widely publicized study pointing to a shortage of Atlantic menhaden as the cause of osprey nest failures in the Chesapeake Bay has come under fire from a trio of