The small fish, locally known as bunker, is values for its commercial uses as the fishermen between Maine and Florida harvest more than 200,000 metric tons annually, with New Jersey accounting for about 10 percent of that. About 40 percent of the catch is sold as bait, mostly for stiped bass and bluefish. The rest wind up at reduction plants and are processed into fish oil for nutritional supplements or consumer products and fishmeal for livestock feed and pet food.
Seeing the increase commercial uses of little fish the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission decided to provide more protection for the species. Member states along the East Coast agreed to regulate their fisheries to preserve at least 15 percent of the spawning Atlantic population each year. New Jersey’s stake in the menhaden industry may be small, but the changes could impact its coastal economy.
Experts said that New Jersey fishermen who net bunker can typically sell them for 10 cents per pound frozen and $1 to $1.50 each live. Tom McCloy, head of New Jersey’s Marine Fisheries Administation, said the states will likely phase changes in over a few years.
