If Amendment 1 is implemented as planned, it has the potential to restore the menhaden to former levels of abundance and end ongoing conflict of interest on the Menhaden Management Board, which is currently controlled by the commercial menhaden industry. The health of the stock is determined by the Atlantic Menhaden Advisory Committee, which is picked by the management board and is dominated by industry representatives.
Independent scientists have little place in the management picture.
This isn t the fox watching the henhouse it s delivering chickens right to the fox s lair. Amendment 1 offers the possibility of totally revamping the menhaden management system, and includes an option, designated Option 1, that would establish a management board comprised of fishery professionals and state appointees and a technical committee of qualified scientists, and would relegate industry representatives to a strictly advisory panel, where they would share their advisory duties with a cross section of commercial and recreational fishing interests and others who are concerned about Atlantic menhaden conservation and management. Adoption of Option 1 would be of great benefit to the menhaden, to predators that depend on the menhaden, to the coastal ecosystem and to anglers who rely on menhaden to sustain the populations of striped bass, bluefish and other coastal species. It is crucial that anglers get out to support Option 1, and to oppose Option 2, which would establish a framework much like that above, but would also create four dedicated seats for the commercial menhaden industry three seats for industry members to represent different sectors of the industry and a fourth for a member of the National Fish Meal and Oil Association, an industry group representing the huge reduction boats that have decimated the stock for so long. 2nd Annual Last Chance Catch and Release Surf Tournament.