ATLANTIC MENHADEN
Vital Prey, Ecosystem Engineers:
The Critical Role of Atlantic Menhaden
Why Atlantic Menhaden Matter
Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) are a crucial component of the Atlantic coastal ecosystem. These small, oily fish form the foundation of the marine food web, serving as a vital prey for many iconic predators.
Whales, dolphins, seabirds, and numerous commercially and recreationally important fish species, such as striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish, all rely on menhaden as a significant part of their diet.
Menhaden's ecological importance extends beyond their role as prey. They are filter feeders, consuming phytoplankton and zooplankton, which helps to maintain water quality and clarity.
By converting these microscopic organisms into protein and energy, menhaden serve as a critical link between primary producers and higher trophic levels in the ecosystem.
Reduction Fishing in the Atlantic
The Atlantic menhaden fishery consists of two main components: the reduction fishery and the bait fishery.
The reduction fishery, which accounts for the vast majority of menhaden landings, uses industrial-scale purse seine vessels to capture large quantities of fish.
The caught menhaden are then processed, or "reduced," into fish meal, fish oil, and other products used in animal feed, fertilizers, and dietary supplements.
Concerns have been raised for over 150 years (!) about the impact of the reduction fishery on menhaden populations and the ecosystem as a whole. Large-scale removal of menhaden can diminish the availability of prey for dependent predators, potentially affecting their health, reproduction, and population dynamics.
The menhaden reduction fishery operates on an industrial scale, using massive nets to capture enormous schools of these vital fish.
Here's how it works.
The Process
Spotting: Schools of menhaden are located using “spotter” planes or from the decks of large vessels.
Deployment: The massive net is set vertically in the water, surrounding the school of fish.
Closing the Net: A purse line, threaded through rings at the bottom of the net, is winched closed, trapping the fish.
Vacuuming: The mothership approaches the enclosed net and inserts a large vacuum tube. Fish are then sucked out of the net and into the ship's fish holds, which can contain millions of fish.
Retrieval: Once the fish are removed, a power block (a large hydraulic winch) pulls the net back onto the purse boats.
Duration: The whole process — per set — typically takes about 35-45 minutes from start to finish.
The Fleet
Vessels: most of the 9 vessels operate out of Reedville, Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay
Size: the largest ships measure around 178 feet and are capable of holding up to 2 million fish.
The Gear
Net Type: Purse seine nets, made of nylon fiber
Mesh Size: About 1 ¾ inches when stretched
Net Dimensions:
Length: 1,000-1,400 feet (that's longer than three football fields!)
Depth: 65-90 feet (as tall as an 8-story building)
Understanding these fishing methods is crucial for recognizing the scale of the menhaden reduction industry and its potential impact on our marine ecosystems.
With 10 “mothership” vessels, the Atlantic menhaden reduction fishery operates with a smaller fleet compared to the Gulf. The fleet is characterized by:
Capacity: Many vessels can hold up to 2 million fish, with some smaller vessels having a capacity of 1.3 to 1.5 million fish.
Age and modernization: The fleet includes a mix of older vessels (some dating back to the 1960s) and newer or recently converted vessels.
Ownership: The majority of the fleet is owned and operated by Omega Protein and its subsidiaries / partners.
This industrial fishing method is highly efficient at capturing large quantities of menhaden. However, it raises serious concerns:
Bycatch: Other species can be unintentionally caught in these large nets.
Ecosystem Disruption: Removing such large quantities of menhaden can have far-reaching effects on the marine food web.
Overfishing: The efficiency of this method makes it easy to overfish menhaden populations.
Habitat Disturbance: Deploying large purse seine nets that drag the bottom in shallow waters can result in damage to sensitive benthic ecosystems, including seagrass beds and bottom-dwelling organisms.
Atlantic Species at Risk
Numerous species in the Atlantic rely on menhaden as a critical food source, and the depletion of menhaden populations can have cascading effects throughout the ecosystem. Some of the key species at risk include:
Striped bass: Menhaden are a primary prey item for striped bass, and declines in menhaden abundance have been linked to poor body condition and reduced reproductive success in striped bass populations.
Humpback whales: Menhaden are an important prey species for humpback whales during their migrations along the Atlantic coast. Reduced menhaden availability can impact the whales' feeding behavior and energy reserves.
Osprey: These coastal raptors rely heavily on menhaden during their breeding season. Insufficient menhaden prey can lead to reduced nesting success and chick survival.
Bluefish, weakfish, and other predatory fish: Menhaden are a staple in the diets of many commercially and recreationally valuable fish species. Declines in menhaden can affect the growth, survival, and distribution of these predators.
Atlantic Management Info
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is responsible for the interstate management of Atlantic menhaden from Florida to Maine.
In 2012, the ASMFC implemented the first coastwide catch limit for the species, acknowledging the need to manage menhaden harvest more sustainably. In 2020, the commission took a significant step forward by adopting ecological reference points (ERPs) for menhaden management. These ERPs consider the needs of menhaden predators when setting catch limits, aiming to ensure that enough menhaden remain in the water to support a healthy ecosystem.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain in achieving a balance between the demands of the reduction fishery and the ecological role of menhaden.
Continued advocacy, research, and stakeholder collaboration are essential to refine and implement ecosystem-based management strategies that prioritize the long-term health and resilience of the Atlantic coastal ecosystem.
Atlantic menhaden caught as part of Maryland's Estuarine Fish Community Sampling Program. ©Frank Marenghi, MD DNR.
Where Are They Now?
This interactive map allows you to monitor the movements of the Atlantic menhaden reduction fishery.
These are the 10 confirmed vessels in the Atlantic reduction fleet: Calcasieu Pass, Cockrells Creek, F. Ray Rogers, Jr., Fleeton, Little River, Reedville, Rappahannock, Smugglers Point, Tidelands, Windmill Point
Our website uses VesselFinder.com's map service to provide real-time vessel tracking information.
Key Features:
Real-time positions (updated every 5 minutes)
Historical vessel tracks (up to 7 days)
Vessel details including name, type, and destination
Please note:
Vessel positions are based on AIS (Automatic Identification System) data, which may be affected by technical limitations or intentional deactivation.
Not all vessels are equipped with AIS transponders, and therefore may not appear on the map.
There may be a delay between a vessel's actual position and its displayed position on the map.
The historical tracking feature is limited to the past 7 days and may not represent a vessel's complete journey.
Disclaimer: The vessel tracking information provided through VesselFinder.com is for informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the data, we cannot guarantee its completeness or reliability. The information should not be used for navigation or any purpose relating to the safety of maritime traffic. By using this map, you acknowledge that Menhaden Defenders and VesselFinder.com are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the data provided. For the most up-to-date and accurate maritime information, please refer to official sources such as coast guards or port authorities.
Legal Notice: Menhaden Defenders expressly disclaims and strictly prohibits any use of the information provided herein to threaten, harass, or commit any act of violence against any individual, vessel, or entity engaged in fishing activities. Any such actions are strictly forbidden and may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. Menhaden Defenders advocates only for lawful and peaceful means of marine conservation and resource management.
For more information about the data source and terms of use, please visit VesselFinder.com.
Where Have They Fished?
Use this interactive Global Fishing Watch map to track past fleet activity.
Our website incorporates Global Fishing Watch's (GFW) map service to provide comprehensive vessel tracking information.
Key Features:
Visualization of global fishing activity from 2012 onwards
Tracking of over 100,000 commercial fishing vessels
Open-access platform for public monitoring
Collaboration with leading scientific institutions for data analysis
Please note:
The map utilizes AIS (Automatic Identification System) data, which may not capture all fishing activity.
Vessels without AIS transmitters or those with deactivated units may not appear on the map.
The data represents a significant portion of the ocean's seafood catch, but not its entirety.
Temporal and spatial gaps in data may exist due to technical limitations or intentional data manipulation.
Disclaimer: The fishing activity information provided through Global Fishing Watch is for informational and research purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data, we cannot guarantee its completeness or reliability. This information should not be used for navigation or any purpose relating to maritime traffic safety. By using this map, you acknowledge that Menhaden Defenders and Global Fishing Watch are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the data provided. For the most up-to-date and accurate maritime information, please refer to official sources such as national fisheries agencies or international fisheries management organizations.
Legal Notice: Menhaden Defenders expressly disclaims and strictly prohibits any use of the information provided herein to threaten, harass, or commit any act of violence against any individual, vessel, or entity engaged in fishing activities. Any such actions are strictly forbidden and may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. Menhaden Defenders advocates only for lawful and peaceful means of marine conservation and resource management.
For more information about the data source, methodology, and terms of use, please visit GlobalFishingWatch.org.
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Sustainable, equitable fishing practices
Protection of vital marine ecosystems
Transparent, science-based management
Preservation of coastal community heritage
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