How Do We Count Fish? Understanding Fisheries Stock Assessments
Feature Photo: A small school of snook off the coast of Florida. Credit: Peter Leahy
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As we mentioned in last week’s blog, in a few weeks the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will vote on whether to adopt Ecological Reference Points (ERPs) for Atlantic menhaden. Adopting ERPs will mean that when determining menhaden harvest levels, managers will account for its key role as a forage species for fish, marine mammals, and seabirds.
This is a big deal for both recreational anglers and commercial harvesters whose target species depend on a healthy menhaden forage base. We’ve joined forces with the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance in the letter below and are looking for allies (recreational anglers, guides, tackle shops, commercial fishermen, and associations/organizations) to join us. The text of the letter is below.
If you’re interested in signing onto the letter, send an email to ASGA Executive Director Willy Goldsmith (willy@saltwaterguidesassociation.org) with:
You can also add your sign-on information in the comments section below. Please share far and wide as we work to show the ASMFC how much sensible menhaden management means to us. Deadline for sign on is Monday, July 27 at 12pm EST.
Feature Photo: A small school of snook off the coast of Florida. Credit: Peter Leahy
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29 Responses
Ryan Conceicao- Owner of Surfcasting7stripes
Thanks Ryan!
Private Angler !
Thanks John! What state are you from?
Menhaden are critical to healthy recreational and commercial fisheries as well as preserving the balance in the saltwater ecosystem. This initiative will help preserve fisheries as well as important species such as striped bass and bluefish.
Hey Anthony, to be added as a signee please include your state and user type (recreational, commercial, etc). Thanks.
Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay is suffering from localized depletion of menhaden. The bay’s fish and wildlife desperately need menhaden preservation. Virginia currently has 80+% of the menhaden quota on the east coast which is causing depletion of an important menhaden population and hatchery.
Without these fish, it all falls apart.
Hey Roger, to be added as a signee please include your state and user type (recreational, commercial, etc). Thanks.
This forage fish is extremely important to the eco system here on the east coast. Our eco system is extremely susceptible to over fishing and both natural and unnatural events effecting species populations. This fish is important to me for sport fishing as well as whale and bird sighting.
Hey Kris, to be added as a signee please include your state and user type (recreational, commercial, etc). Thanks.
Julien Frank
New York
Recreational Angler
The use of Ecological Reference Points in Menhaden management is long overdue. Ignoring the critical role that this fish plays in our marine ecosystem is at its best willfully ignorant, and at its worst criminally driven by special interests and personal gain. Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management is a “no brainer” and more specifically the NWACS-MICE model which has been peer reviewed is considered the best available science and should be adopted immediately.
Thank you
Thank you, Julien!
This is the admin..
If anyone who commented wants to sign the letter, please include your name and state otherwise we can’t add you!
Chris Fay
Massachusetts
Recreational/Private Angler
I support this important initiative and it’s time to make a pivot on managing this fishery by leveraging the science behind ERPs. Menhaden are a critical component of the marine ecosystem, and underpins a significant portion of the marine economy. Proper management of their stock is vital for current and future generations of anglers and all that depend upon nature’s bounty!
Thanks Chris!
Lenny Ferro
L.I. New York
Atlantic Menhaden is a key forage fish for all Marine wildlife and the recreational fishery.
As a recreational angler I urge the ASMC to adopt ERP’s for Atlantic Menhaden.
Thank you
Thanks Lenny!
Kris Magnotti
New York
Recreational Angler
I urge the ASMFC to use the scientific data shown in the ERP’s to manage the Atlantic Menhaden population as it is a key forage fish for all Marine wildlife and the recreational fishery. This forage fish is crucial to the entire ecosystem and should be protected for this generation of wildlife and anglers as well as for the those in the future.
Thank you
Thanks Kris!
It is imperative that the ASMFC use all the data that is available to them to manage Atlantic
Menhaden as a forage for now and in the future.
Hey Steve, to be added as a signee please include your state and user type (recreational, commercial, etc). Thanks.
Steve McDonald
Recreational Fisherman
Long Island New York
Menhaden are a forage fish critical to the wellbeing of the entire marine ecosystem . They serve an important role as filter feeders maintaining water quality right up to being essential forage for a wide range of predators from striped bass and bluefish up to tuna and whales. Not to mention that they maintain a healthy fishery for both commercial and recreational fishermen.
That’s why it’s so essential to incorporate the use ERPs in any ASMFC management plan.
Thanks for your support, Steve!
Please add my name to your letter and THANK YOU for all of your efforts!
Brian Kirby
aka RedneckAngler
Educator/Youth Fishing Advocate
CT DEEP CARE Instructor
Recreational Angler
Bret McGowan
New York
Recreational Angler
I urge the ASMFC to use the scientific data shown in the ERP’s to manage the Atlantic Menhaden population as it is a key forage fish for all Marine wildlife and the recreational fishery. This forage fish is crucial to the entire ecosystem and should be protected for this generation of wildlife and anglers as well as for the those in the future.
Thank you