NEFSA QUESTIONS ASMFC’S DECISION TO CUT 2026 MENHADEN QUOTA

NEFSA Questions ASMFC’s Decision to Cut 2026 Menhaden Quota
At its October meeting, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) approved a 20% reduction to the 2026 Atlantic menhaden quota, maintaining a one-year specification and committing to revisit the quota again in 2027. The decision follows ongoing debates about the balance between ecosystem-based management and economic impacts on coastal fisheries that depend on menhaden as bait and forage species.

The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) has voiced strong concerns following the Commission’s vote, saying the scale of the reduction is not supported by current science and could have serious economic consequences for New England’s fishing communities.

“If the Commission plans to revisit the quota in just one year, a more modest 10% cut would have been more appropriate,” said Dustin Delano, NEFSA Chairman and Chief Strategist. “Science shows that even a 10% cut would result in a zero percent chance of overfishing in the first year, so there was no reason to go further.”

Delano said NEFSA had urged the Commission to avoid drastic reductions that could disrupt coastal economies. Menhaden, a key forage species, are also vital as bait for the lobster and crab fisheries throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

“Even this lesser 20% reduction will have troubling effects on working fishermen, bait suppliers, and dependent fisheries,” Delano said. “The science is clear: menhaden are not overfished, and overfishing is not occurring. This fishery is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, which confirms that it is being managed responsibly and sustainably.”

NEFSA also highlighted growing uncertainty in the models used to determine menhaden stock status, cautioning that abrupt changes in scientific assessments can undermine industry confidence in management decisions.

“These sudden swings in outcomes, driven by model corrections, erode confidence in the process,” Delano added. “That uncertainty should be a reason for caution, not overreaction.”

Delano said NEFSA will continue advocating for “sound science and practical management” to ensure sustainable fisheries while protecting the communities that rely on them.

“Let’s stay grounded in good data and balance ecosystem protection with the livelihoods of those who depend on the fishery,” he said.

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