Scallop and Monkfish precedents suggest ASMFC should consider northern aerial survey in Menhaden regulation

The Atlantic menhaden fishery currently faces a situation similar to those previously faced by the scallop and monkfish fisheries. Regulators are currently dealing with a data-poor situation and are considering large cuts to the menhaden harvest, while recently available data suggests that these cuts might not be necessary, or might not need to be as large. In previous cases, non-peer-reviewed data from a single year was used to delay potentially drastic management decisions. Adopting a similarly cautious approach could provide time to allow the ASMFC to acquire more comprehensive information on the health of Atlantic menhaden.

http://www.savingseafood.org/menhaden-management/precedent-exists-for-asfmc-to-consider-northern-aerial-survey-in-menhaden-regula-3.html

Areas of Concern in the ASMFC’s 2012 Atlantic Menhaden Assessment Update