Menhaden Fisheries Coalition Challenges Chesapeake Bay Foundation Claims

The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition has responded forcefully to claims made about the Atlantic menhaden fishery during a recent environmental event, challenging what it describes as scientific inaccuracies and misleading statements about the industry’s practices and impact.

During a September 24 presentation at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center titled “The Impacts of Climate on Fisheries,” Chris Moore, Senior Regional Ecosystem Scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), made several assertions about menhaden fishing that the industry group considers factually incorrect.

The Coalition has systematically refuted these claims, starting with the allegation that the menhaden industry has obstructed Bay-specific research. According to the MFC, the industry has actually collaborated with scientific institutions on more than a dozen cooperative studies along the Atlantic coast. Their hesitation about certain acoustic survey methods was based on concerns about scientific validity rather than opposition to research itself.

Contrary to claims that industry representatives have blocked research, the MFC points to an active Bay-specific research roadmap currently underway. This initiative, funded through the Science Center for Marine Fisheries, involves scientists from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Coalition also rejected Moore’s assertion that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Technical Committee had recommended a 50% harvest reduction. According to the MFC, the most recent peer-reviewed assessment concluded that Atlantic menhaden are neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. The current management approach already incorporates ecological reference points that account for predator needs.

Another disputed claim involved population declines. While Moore suggested the menhaden population had dropped by approximately 37%, the Coalition countered that the most recent analyses confirm the species remains abundant within sustainable levels. The fishery, they note, operates well below ecological thresholds established by regulators and maintains Marine Stewardship Council certification, an internationally recognized sustainability standard.

Regarding concerns about climate impacts on Chesapeake Bay menhaden, the MFC cited Maryland Department of Natural Resources data showing three consecutive years of abundant juvenile menhaden throughout the Bay—including the highest levels recorded since 1990—suggesting the species is thriving despite environmental changes.

The Coalition also addressed concerns about predator species that rely on menhaden. They emphasized that current management already uses Ecological Reference Points specifically designed to maintain sufficient menhaden populations for predators like striped bass. These reference points were developed through a collaborative process that included environmental organizations, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation itself.

For osprey populations specifically, the MFC cited research from the U.S. Geological Survey and VIMS indicating that breeding success depends on multiple factors beyond just menhaden availability. They also noted that the regulated menhaden fishing season begins after the critical osprey nesting period.

Regarding harvest levels in Virginia waters, the Coalition clarified that Chesapeake Bay harvests are restricted by a 51,000-metric-ton cap, approximately one-third of historical levels. Actual landings typically fall below this limit, with most Virginia catches occurring in coastal waters outside the Bay.

The MFC also disputed claims about tourism impacts, stating there is no credible scientific evidence linking regulated menhaden harvests to negative effects on whale watching or tourism activities.

The menhaden fishery represents an important economic sector for coastal Virginia communities, employing unionized watermen with competitive wages and benefits in one of the region’s traditional maritime industries. The Coalition emphasized that the fishery’s sustainability has been independently verified by both government agencies and third-party certification programs.

The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition represents businesses along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts involved in the menhaden industry, including fishermen and supporting businesses. Their response aims to ensure accurate information about menhaden management reaches the public, media and policymakers.