America's menhaden resource is one of the nation's most-studied fisheries with authoritative scientific reports dating back to the 1880's. Because of its amazing productivity - an adult menhaden can have more than a hundred thousand offspring in a single year - and because it is a food fish for many other marine species, the menhaden is considered an "indicator species" of its ecosystem and is monitored closely by marine biologists.
Both the federal National Marine Fisheries Service and fisheries departments in states that have active menhaden industries conduct on-going scientific sampling programs and issue annual reports on the health of the menhaden resource. According to these agencies the menhaden fishery continues to be healthy and present harvest levels remain far below the level that scientists believe could deplete the resource.
Omega Protein works closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service, regional fishery management commissions, and state fisheries agencies to ensure that the menhaden resource is managed so that it will remain productive for the foreseeable future. Omega Protein also actively subscribes to and is certified as adhering to the principals of these conservation organizations:
Ocean Trust is a science-based, authoritative voice on the oceans. Ocean Trust conducts independent research and provides public education on oceans issues which impact the management and use of the oceans to feed the people of the world.
Responsible Fisheries Society is a program dedicated to promoting the responsible use of fisheries in food production. The Responsible Fisheries Society encourages companies to become involved in resource and environmental projects, and to adhere to its Principals for Responsible Fisheries.
The Atlantic menhaden fishery is probably America's oldest business. Over the years, the fishery grew from its use as an agricultural fertilizer to a source of oil for lamps and then to animal feed supplements. Today's market for menhaden products is diverse and growing. The oil pressed from menhaden, which is rich in heart healthy Omega 3 fatty acids, is a FDA approved health food additive. It is the goal of the Menhaden Resource Council to "manage the Atlantic menhaden fishery in a manner that is biologically, economically, socially and ecologically sound, while protecting the resource and those who benefit from it."
If you like to know more about menhaden resources please visit the Menhaden Resource Council web site. We also have a pdf of commonly asked questions concerning menhaden stock.
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