In one of the more unusual arguments made in the debate over menhaden fishing, Author Kenneth Lawson, a military chaplain with a background in theology and US history makes a theological argument — based on several inaccuate scientific arguments and assumptions — that stricter management measures are needed in the Atlantic menhaden fishery.
May 30, 2012 – The tiny fish called menhaden is perfectly designed for its role in the oceanic system of life. This remarkably resilient fish was created for unique purposes. However, through neglect and mismanagement, the menhaden has been overfished by man and is in danger. The dominion mandate given by God to humanity to care, preserve, and harvest from the physical creation has been abused in relation to the menhaden.
Menhaden have rightly been called “the most important fish in the Atlantic and Gulf [of Mexico] waters.”3 This is because menhaden are the vacuum cleaners of most of the United States’ coastline, filtering up to four gallons of water a minute to extract phytoplankton (algae and other tiny plants). The menhaden travel in schools of tens of millions of fish. When they move through an area they serve as a filter, a water purification system critical to the survival of other fish. Other filter feeders in the ocean, such as baleen whales, eat zooplankton (tiny animals). The menhaden serves as the one main oceanic herbivore, a function it was perfectly designed to accomplish.
Read the full article at Answers in Genesis.
Analysis: This analysis will not attempt to examine the merits of Chaplain Lawson's theological views, the scientific generalizations that upon which his arguments are based are not accurate.
The article blames the alleged poor state of the menhaden population on the poor management of the fisheries. It states, “through neglect and mismanagement, the menhaden has been overfished by man and is in danger.” However, according to the most recent stock assessment by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), menhaden are not overfished, and overfishing has only occurred once in the last decade. The number of eggs being produced by the stock is considered to be consistent with the amount needed for a stable population. Environmental factors are also likely to be the greatest influence on the size of the stock, and not fishing mortality.
Also discussed is how menhaden are filter feeders, constantly “filtering up to four gallons of water a minute to extract phytoplankton.” Menhaden are also referred to as a “water purification system.” However, there are several studies that indicate that many menhaden primarily consume zooplankton, and some age ranges cannot filter phytoplankton efficiently. Efficiency at filtering phytoplankton depends upon the age of the menhaden, with smaller fish able to clear the smaller phytoplankton, while older, larger fish consume more zooplankton.