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| Menhaden |
Shore Daily News, Maryland state study concludes young menhaden stock is strong - Shore Daily News
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released its 2024 juvenile striped bass survey results, highlighting a positive trend for two key forage species in the Chesapeake Bay: menhaden and spot. While striped bass reproduction continues to face challenges, menhaden abundance was nearly equal to last year, which was the highest recorded since 1990. Spot abundance reached its highest level since 1988. These species are crucial to the Bay’s ecosystem, serving as a primary food source for many fish and wildlife.
The annual survey, conducted at 22 sites across the Bay, monitored the reproductive success of striped bass and the abundance of other fish species. In 2024, over 56,000 fish from 56 species were captured. DNR emphasized the importance of these findings, noting that the survey provides strong evidence of a healthy menhaden population, despite some industry claims to the contrary.
Ben Landry, Vice President of Public Affairs at Ocean Fleet Services, praised the survey as further evidence of the fishery’s sustainability, which he attributes to collaborative efforts between industry, fishery managers, and scientists. The Atlantic menhaden fishery is certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council, with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission repeatedly confirming that it is not overfished.
This would be more reassuring if MDDNR hadn't insisted for years that Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass were just doing fine, thank you very much, as we, the people on the water could see a continual decline, only to come around to it in the last few years.
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