A report by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) confirms that the Gulf of Mexico menhaden stock is neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. This updated stock assessment includes new data from 2021 to 2023, the years since the last Gulf menhaden assessment was completed in 2021.
In addition to its primary conclusion showing no overfishing, the assessment has positive news for several other key metrics of the stock’s health. Spawning stock biomass has continued to rise steadily since the 1990s and remains at a high, sustainable level. Fishing mortality rates decreased in the 1990s and 2000s and have remained at lower levels ever since.
‘The results of this assessment reaffirm the responsible and effective management of the Gulf menhaden fishery, and its long-term sustainability,’ said Ben Landry, Vice President of Public Affairs for Ocean Fleet Services, a Menhaden Fisheries Coalition member.
‘Our industry is committed to maintaining healthy fish populations, and this assessment highlights the success of the collaborative efforts of industry, scientists, and fishery managers.’
Previous assessments in 2021 and 2018 similarly concluded that the stock was healthy, that there was no overfishing, and that overfishing was not occurring. Since 2019, the Gulf menhaden fishery has been certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.
The GSMFC’s Menhaden Advisory Committee has recommended the next operational assessment be conducted in 2027, unless significant new data warrants review before then.
