Menhaden -- little fish with a big impact

Tweet

Pin It

Menhaden are what scientists call a "keystone" species.  As a keystone in an arch holds the entire arch together, keystone species have a larger-than-expected impact on their ecosystems.  Remove the keystone and things start to fall apart.  In March, I wrote that the Virginia General Assembly had refused to implement the menhaden fishing limits required by the management plan published by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).  ASMFC has now stated that Virginia may face fines for lack of implementation.  Remember, these limits only apply to the huge Omega Protein reduction company, not to bait fishermen who use the menhaden to catch other fish.  Check out this latest update on this important Chesapeake Bay keystone species. 

If you take fish oil supplements, the fish oil probably came from menhaden.  How can you help?  Try a vegetarian/vegan supplement that still provides Omega 3.  Here's the one I like: