Environmental groups called the vote by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission unprecedented and said it would help protect many other animals that depend on menhaden for food, from striped bass and bluefish to ospreys and loons.
“Scientists have warned that having too few menhaden in the water could result in disastrous impacts on the fish and wildlife that eat them,’’ said Peter Baker, director of northeast fisheries at the Pew Environment Group. “Today’s decision marks a watershed moment.’’
The commercial fishing industry has long lobbied against reducing the catch, asserting that the menhaden population remains healthy and that jobs will be jeopardized.
Among the most vocal opponents of the catch reduction, which will take effect in 2013, was a Texas-based company that harvests nearly all the menhaden caught from Cape Cod to North Carolina. Officials from Omega Protein Inc. said they may have to close a plant in Virginia that employs more than 300 people, who harvest hundreds of millions of pounds of menhaden every year.
“What the commission did is akin to swatting a gnat with a sledgehammer,’’ said Ron Lukens, a senior fisheries biologist for Omega. “It’s absolutely a disappointment. We knew we were going to take a cut, but this is a little too much to swallow.’’
Commission officials said the vote 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.
“The concern is that if there isn’t enough menhaden, the striped bass could move out of Massachusetts waters,’’ said Dr. Louis Daniel, chairman of the commission’s menhaden board. “By taking these measures and increasing the amount of menhaden in the water, there will be a huge impact on the ecosystem.’’
Local fishermen said the vote will alleviate concerns about the future of the local fishery.
