Continuous decreasing stock of menhaden fish off the East Coast has forced the regulators to cut the catches of the species because overfishing has taken its toll. After years of pressure from environmental groups and recreational fishermen, a panel that regulates fishing from Maine to Florida decided in Boston to reduce the catch of menhaden by as much as 37 percent of the number caught last year.
According to environmental groups this decision would help protect many other animals that depend on menhaden for food, from striped bass and bluefish to ospreys and loons. Peter Baker, director of northeast fisheries at the Pew Environment Group, said that too few menhaden could result in disastrous impacts on the fish and wildlife that east them. The commercial fishing industry has long lobbied against reducing the catch, asserting that the menhaden population remains healthy and that jobs will be jeopardized.
Commission officials said the decision to cut the catch of menhaden would have a major impact on the future of the fishing industry around New England. Menhaden are often used as bait for lobster and are a vital source of food for cod, tuna, striped bass, and many other fish commonly caught in local waters. Dr. Louis Daniel, chairman of the commission’s menhaden board, said that the concern is that if there isn’t enough menhaden, the striped bass could move out of Massachusetts waters.
