Protect Atlantic Menhaden Before It's Too Late

Atlantic menhaden play two roles in our oceans: they're a crucial food source for everything from ospreys and herons to whales and striped bass, and they filter plankton from the waters of the Atlantic coast.

As pressure on menhaden continues, concerns are growing about whether enough of these fish will remain to support the marine life and birds that depend on them. Fishery managers are deciding right now how much menhaden can be caught. Unfortunately, the current way the fishery is managed is not fully accounting for the importance of this important fish for wildlife in specific coastal areas or how local changes in menhaden availability affect coastal ecosystems.

We cannot leave this species’ fate to chance and the cascading impacts on other fish and wildlife.

Tell fishery managers to strengthen protections for menhaden before it's too late.

Petition Letter

Fishery Management Plan C

James

Boyle

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Dear Mr. Boyle

I care deeply about the health of our oceans and coastal wildlife. That's why I'm asking the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to strengthen how it manages Atlantic menhaden, a small but essential forage fish.

Atlantic menhaden play two roles in our oceans: they're a crucial food source for everything from ospreys and herons to whales and striped bass, and they filter plankton from the waters of the Atlantic coasts as they feed.

Sustainable fishing can coexist with a healthy, abundant menhaden population, but achieving that balance requires management that fully accounts for menhaden's dual role: feeding wildlife and potentially influencing coastal water quality — not just traditional catch limits. Addendum II is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough to ensure menhaden remains a healthy, abundant part of our coastal ecosystems.

I'm asking you to:

-Fully account for menhaden's role as a food source for birds, whales, and fish, and their role in filtering plankton for our coastal waters, in your management decisions.

-Adopt strong, science-based management that preserves menhaden as a robust food source for its predators.

-Expand management tools to prevent excessive catch during critical times and areas, distributing fishing pressure more evenly throughout the season.

-Commit to promptly updating menhaden management as new science and assessments become available.

Atlantic menhaden are too important to get this wrong. Please strengthen protections for this vital fish before it's too late.

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