Atlantic menhaden are a major forage species for a wide number of important predatory fish species including, but not limited to, bluefish, striped bass, weakfish, king mackerel, bluefin tuna and sharks. Marine mammals, including whales and porpoises, also have been reported to feed on menhaden. Since Atlantic menhaden are eaten by predators in several ecosystems, they serve as a direct pelagic link in the food web between detritus and plankton and top predators.

Extensive research is ongoing to evaluate the effects of predation and fishery removals on the population dynamics of the Atlantic menhaden.

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