Menhaden Fisheries Coalition

09/17/2026

Before blaming fishermen, follow the science.

In a new Richmond Times-Dispatch op-ed, Jason Joyce—an eighth-generation commercial fisherman, USCG-licensed captain, and director of advocacy for the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association—challenges the rush to blame Virginia’s menhaden fishery for poor osprey reproduction in parts of the Chesapeake Bay.

Research shows that some osprey chicks are suffering from food stress but doesn’t establish that commercial fishing is responsible or that additional fishing restrictions would restore osprey populations. Critical questions remain to be answered about the Bay’s complex food web.

While osprey chicks in the Chesapeake Bay deserve answers, “commercial fishermen should not be declared responsible without evidence,” Joyce writes.

Read his full op-ed here: https://richmond.com/opinion/column/article_278fb51d-005e-48d4-b305-ff2e22ba2102.html

06/30/2026

A new paper on osprey reproduction issues in the Chesapeake Bay will almost certainly be used by menhaden fishery opponents to argue for harsher restrictions. But the evidence tying osprey issues to menhaden fishing is simply not there, writes Ocean Harvesters CEO Monty Deihl.

For one thing, osprey egg laying and early chick mortality identified in the paper occurred before fishing activity even began. For another, the menhaden fishery does not operate in most of the areas examined by the paper.

“The osprey’s challenges deserve good science. They do not need another oversimplified blame campaign.”

The osprey’s challenges deserve good science not another oversimplified blame campaign, Ocean Harvesters CEO Monty Deihl writes in a guest column.

06/27/2026

REEDVILLE, VA / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2026 / "We are extremely pleased that Gov. Abigail Spanberger has announced her intention to send budget language ...

06/09/2026

This legislative session, the Louisiana Legislature chose to strengthen oversight and public confidence in the commercial menhaden fishery through better reporting, clearer accountability, and vessel-tracking requirements. It also wisely rejected proposals that would have imposed severe economic harm on coastal communities.

Louisiana’s menhaden fishery is often scrutinized from afar, which makes it easy to forget that behind the headlines are working families, multi-generational fishing operations, and blue-collar jobs in coastal communities

04/07/2026

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.”

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

03/03/2026

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

Reader commentary: A spokesman for a Virginia menhaden fishery pushes back on a Sun editorial that called for a moratorium on menhaden fishing.

01/21/2026

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

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12/04/2025

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.

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 ...