In the commercial menhaden fishery there are two sectors, the reduction fishery comprises approx. 80% of landings and the remaining 20% are bait.
The modern reduction fishery grinds up menhaden into fish meal and oil for use in pet foods, livestock and aquaculture feeds, industrial products, oil for paints and cosmetics, protein meal and solubles, and dietary supplements.
In reduction fishing, the fish are collected, ground down and reduced to their basic components. Meal and oil can be produced by the same fish. The reduction industry produces fish meal (67%), fish oil (21%), specialty (9%) and solubles (3%).
Larger and older fish are targeted because their yield is far greater. Unfortunately, as fish ages their fecundity – capacity to reproduce – drastically increases, so their contribution to the ecosystem is far more valuable.
There is only one company responsible for the menhaden reduction industry on the Atlantic Coast: Omega Protein, Inc. Omega Protein removes menhaden at a rate that makes it impossible for the fish population to sustain itself. The annual removal of adult fish is 65% or higher, making it unlikely that an adult menhaden will reproduce once, if at all.
In 2010 alone, Omega Protein harvested 404 million pounds—or about 160,000 metric tons—of Menhaden in Atlantic coastal waters. Omega Protein’s annual harvest is worth more than $168 million. Revenues for 2011 are projected at $218 million. The company has 47 vessels and 34 aircrafts in its fleet. One of Omega Protein’s main consumers of its fishmeal product is the international aquaculture industry and this is the fastest growing demand for Omegas products.
Read the full article at Menhaden Defenders.
Analysis: The article makes several incorrect statements about the sustainability of the menhaden reduction fishery. Contrary to the article's assertions, the menhaden population is not overfished, based on the latest assessment by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The article is also incorrect in claiming that the reduction fishery is preventing the recruitment of menhaden. According to the same ASMFC assessment concluded that menhaden fecundity is above target, which it has been for the past 38 years.