Perception:

Menhaden in the Gulf of Mexico are overfished.

Reality:

The gulf menhaden population is NOT overfished.  The total population for gulf menhaden at the beginning of 2004 (prior to the 2005 hurricanes) was estimated to be around 36.3 billion fish, and the total number of fish removed from the Gulf of Mexico for reduction was estimated to be around 5.3 billion fish or 14.6% of the total population.

Perception:

The gulf menhaden fishery is unregulated.

Reality:

The gulf menhaden fishery is probably the most tightly monitored and managed fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.  The fishery has a well-defined season: approximately 28 weeks long, from the third Monday in April through November 1.  The menhaden industry has kept records of every single net set it has made since 1979 and provides these data directly to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).  The industry reports daily catch unloads to the NMFS, and allows the NMFS unrestricted access to their vessels for the purpose of acquiring port samples.

Perception:

Gulf menhaden are harvested to grind up as only as fertilizer.

Reality:

Gulf menhaden are harvested for the primary purposes of producing dry fish meal and extracting oil, although no part of the fish is wasted.  Approximately 75% of the menhaden oil is used in products for human consumption overseas. An additional 10-15% of the oil stays in the United States and goes into livestock and aquaculture feeds.  The remaining 1-2% contributes to industrial applications such as marine lubricants and additives.

Perception:

Gulf menhaden are harvested in all the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico.

Reality:

The majority of the catches and landings for gulf menhaden occur in Louisiana and Mississippi with lesser quantities coming from Texas and Alabama waters.  Florida allows purse seines outside the first 3 miles of its state waters as long as the nets are less than 2 inch stretched mesh.   Alabama restricts purse seine in most of its coastal waters except west of Mobile Bay.

Perception:

The gulf menhaden fishery has little to no value and contributes little to the Gulf’s overall economy.

Reality:

In 2006, landings of gulf menhaden fishery were the largest by volume (898.9 million lbs) in the Gulf of Mexico and valued at $41.2 million.

Perception:

The gulf menhaden fishery is expanding as more boats are added each year from the Atlantic coast, as that fishery is reduced.

Reality:

The gulf menhaden fishery has been relatively stable since 2001 with four factories and about 40 vessels participating in the fishery.  Most Atlantic menhaden vessels are deep draft, and ill-suited for the relatively shallow, near-shore waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Perception:

The harvesting of gulf menhaden has severely reduced the number of fish which are available as food for sportfish.

Reality:

Bay anchovy constitute the greatest biomass of any fish in the Gulf of Mexico and is highly abundant in every estuary from Florida Bay, Florida, to Baffin Bay, Texas, year round.  The anchovy's size and abundance make it one of the most important forage species and is a staple item in the diet of birds and predatory fish.

Perception:

Gulf menhaden are the primary prey for most of Gulf of Mexico sportfish.

Reality:

Numerous studies have shown that sportfish such as spotted seatrout and red drum consume shrimp, anchovies, mullet, croaker, and numerous other species, including gulf menhaden.

Perception:

Algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico are on the rise because of the harvest of gulf menhaden.

Reality:

Algal blooms are partly the result of increased nutrients flowing down rivers into the Gulf of Mexico, not a lack of planktivorous fish.

Perception:

If fishing for gulf menhaden is eliminated, the population of menhaden will increase.

Reality:

The total gulf menhaden population is limited by available food, space, and habitat.  Elimination of the reduction fishery will probably not result in a substantial population increase in the Gulf.