-
Poor
survivorship of 0-1 age (recruits) is a serious
concern for the fishery.
2001
Status of Atlantic Menhaden Stock and Fishery.
Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee. P. 5; July
1, 2001)
-
Poor
recruitment in Atlantic menhaden, like the reproduction
capability, is cyclical, has occurred in the past,
and recruitment has rebounded to normal levels.
2001
Status of Atlantic Menhaden Stock and Fishery.
Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee. P. 3; July
1, 2001)
-
"There
is no evidence that recent low levels of recruitment
have been caused by overfishing."
2001
Status of Atlantic Menhaden Stock and Fishery.
Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee. P. 5; July
1, 2001)
-
"The
(spawning potential ration, SPR) estimate for 2000
( 18.6%) is above the 75th percentile for the historical
period. Additionally, Atlantic menhaden have demonstrated
that they can produce good to excellent recruitment
from much lower values of SPR, especially during
the mid to late 1970s and early 19805 when the stock
was rebuilding."
(SOURCE:
Analyses on the Status of the Atlantic Menhaden
Stock. NOAA Fisheries Center for Coastal Fisheries
and Habitat Research. P. 4; June 7, 2001.)
-
About
50% of the available Atlantic menhaden fishery has
been closed to the reduction industry for at least
10 years.
(SOURCE: Amendment 1 to the Interstate
Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden.
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. P.
38; July, 2001.)
If
there is no scientific evidence that low levels of
recruitment are caused by overfishing and low recruitment
continues, despite half the fishery being closed,
isn't it reasonable to deduce that something
other than fishing is causing the low recruitment?
If
you agree with the above statement, you are reasoning
like a scientist. And if you are genuinely concerned
about the health of the Atlantic menhaden, you will
focus on the areas
that scientists believe could be contributing factors
to poor recruitment:
1.
Loss of estuarine habitat
2.
Water quality
3.
Environmental contaminants
4.
Habitat modification
5.
Pfisteria and similar dinoflagellate blooms
6. Predation by other fish
