Incidental bycatch of other finfish species in menhaden purse seines has been a topic of interest and concern for many years to the commercial and recreational fishing industry, as well as the scientific community. Numerous past studies have shown that there is little or no bycatch in the menhaden purse seine fishery. Some states restrict bycatch to 1% or less of the total catch on a vessel by regulation.

A study of bycatch of other species in the Atlantic menhaden fishery was recently completed through funding provided by the Federal Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science studied bycatch levels of finfish, turtles, and marine mammals in the Atlantic menhaden fishery. Results from that study indicated that bycatch in the 1992 Atlantic menhaden reduction fishery was minimal, comprising about 0.04 % by number. The maximum percentage bycatch occurred in August (0.14%) and was lowest in September (0.002%). Among important recreational species, bluefish accounted for the largest bycatch, 1,206 fish (0.0075% of the total menhaden catch). No marine mammals, sea turtles, or other protected species were killed, captured, entangled or observed during sampling. A concurrent study was conducted by Louisiana State University for the Gulf of Mexico menhaden fishery.

Additional data are available from the Gulf of Maine IWP fishery in 1991. Every catch unloaded onto the processing vessel was inspected by a state observer. A total of 93 fish were taken as bycatch along with about 60,000,000 individual menhaden.

Also review: