No Menhaden Moratorium But Something

The end of menhaden week is here.  That was too fast.  I hope the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission votes TODAY to give menhaden a break.  I'm actually excited to watch the proceedings.

Even with a good outcome today, menhaden will continue to need our help and protection.  The fight goes on for this heavily depleted little fish with such big importance to healthy oceans. 

Interesting to note, ahead of today's meeting the ASMFC decided to consider only a catch reduction range from 0-50%.  The people who asked for 75% catch reduction or an altogether moratorium are already going to be disappointed -- those levels are not even on the table.

A recent press release from the commission talked about people requesting “reductions from 0 – 50% from current harvest” during the public comment period.  From this information, the impression is that a 50% catch reduction is the top of the range of reduction requests.  But it’s not.

On closer inspection, over 7,000 people wrote letters during the public comments that asked for a higher range, from a 75% reduction in catch to a moratorium.  Another 3,000 plus people asked for a moratorium only.  That’s 11,000 people, about 8% of all public menhaden comments, who asked for something much more significant than a 50% catch reduction.

The significant reduction requests are available for viewing only in the commission’s board document -- a 1,269 page tome of past meeting minutes, schedules, draft amendments, scientific papers, and public comment letters.  Here's a selection of some of those letters sent into the ASMFC with senders' names removed:

Subject: Draft Amendment 2 
To Dr. Louis Daniel, ASMFC Menhaden Management Board Chair:

I am urging you to take leadership in protecting the Atlantic menhaden from overfishing.
When we lose a species it's gone forever. As Aldo Leopoldo said 'the first sign of intelligent tinkering is to save all the pieces.' For the sake of future generations, lets do all we can not to lose any more pieces of our world's biodiversity.
xx

The following letter was submitted by 7,234 individuals.

Dear Dr. Daniel,
I am writing to urge the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to immediately end overfishing of menhaden. The draft amendment includes an option with no fishing reductions in 2013. This would be unacceptable. To reverse menhaden's steady decline and allow quick recovery, I urge you to reduce catch by at least 75 percent and consider a complete moratorium on this important forage fish for 2013.
For 2013, the draft proposal’s largest option for reduction is half of recent years' catch. Any fishing above that threshold is unjustified for a forage fish in decline. You must act now to significantly reduce harvest and allow menhaden to recover and ultimately resume its role as the foundation of the ocean ecosystem.
Thank you for your consideration.
xx

Dear Dr. Daniel,
I am a New Yorker from the Midwood section of Brooklyn. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission must immediately end overfishing of menhaden. The draft amendment includes an option with no fishing reductions in 2013. This would be unacceptable.
As you know, menhaden provide food for other important fish, like bluefin tuna, as well as protected marine mammals and birds. At the same time, menhaden face excessive exploitation by commercial fishermen.
Please reduce catch by at least 75 percent and impose a complete moratorium on this important forage fish for 2013.
For 2013, the draft proposal’s largest option for reduction is half of recent years' catch. Any fishing above that threshold is unjustified for a forage fish in decline. You must act now to significantly reduce harvest and allow menhaden to recover and ultimately resume its role as the foundation of the ocean ecosystem.
xx
Brooklyn, NY 11230

MY six reasons to LEAVE MORE MENHADEN in the water (Maybe you have your own): 

• I like healthy striped bass, ospreys, oysters, crabs, whales, tuna, and cod.
• I hate wasting things, and menhaden are worth twice as much in the water than out.
• I’m pretty sure that domesticated animals, including cats and dogs, don’t need fish meal especially at the expense of the ocean.
• I know that omega-3 nutrients are available from other sources.
• I’m optimistic that we can balance industry and natural systems so that everyone benefits including future generations.
• I know it’s the right thing to do.

What can you do to help Atlantic menhaden?

9 Ways to Take Action for Menhaden: 1. Write your ASMFC commissioners. 2. Attend ASMFC meetings.  3. Attend the meeting in Baltimore this Friday (12/14/12). 4. Write your government. 5. Join menhaden campaigns. 6. Contribute to organizations supporting menhaden. 7. Avoid products containing fishmeal. 8. Write Omega Protein. 9. Go to the beach. 1. Write a note to your state’s Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission members (they decide how many menhaden to take out of the fishery).  Ask them to give menhaden a break.  There are 3 commissioners each for the 15 Atlantic states: ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, and FL. Click “Commissioners” here to look up your reps and get their email addresses.   Say whatever you want in your note but you may as well tell them why you love menhaden.  “They’re kinda cute.” or “I like those buggy eyes.” or “Catching striped bass is fun.”  Stuff like that.  Here’s some helpful talking points. 2. Attend the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meetings.  Say something, even if it’s only “I’m from xx (your state) and menhaden are important to me.”  Go ahead, have fun expressing yourself.  3. Attend the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting in Baltimore this Friday, December 14th.  It’s free and open to the public.  I’ll see you there!  Where exactly: Best Western Plus Hotel and Conference Center, Chesapeake Room, 5625 O’Donnell Street, Baltimore, Maryland; 410.633.9500. 4. Write your representatives in Congress and your Governor.  Find Senators here.  Find Representatives here.  Tell them menhaden are important and you.  They need to know the importance of this little fish to their voters.  5. Join menhaden campaigns.  Stay informed, find opportunities to take action, and be inspired.  Pew is leading the charge and Menhaden Defenders are also in the fight with their Join the Battle for the Bunker campaign.  6. Contribute to organizations like Earthjustice and the Sierra Club who have boots on the ground fighting for this fantastic little fish.  Any amount helps. Your kind generosity is always appreciated. 7. Avoid foods and products that contain fish meal. 8. Write to the Omega Protein company.  Ask them to give menhaden a break.  A serious break. Omega pulls the most menhaden out of the sea – 410 million pounds a year and counting for products like paint, water repellents, dog food, plant fertilizers, and supplements.  9. Go to the ocean, get on it, get in it, walk along it, gaze at it.  Be refreshed and reminded of what's important.