ASMFC Initiates Development of Addendum I to the Atlantic Menhaden Plan

Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved the development of an Addendum to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan. The addendum proposes modifications to the plan’s biological reference points and schedule for stock assessments, as well as revisions to the FMP’s habitat section.

This action is based in part on the recommendations of the Menhaden Technical Committee in its 2003 stock assessment, which found that menhaden are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring on a coastwide basis. Peer-reviewed this past October by the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review Panel, the assessment uses a new modeling approach (Forward Projection Model) and fecundity-based biological reference points to determine stock status. These reference points are more accurate and take into account the number of mature ova (eggs). This is a significant departure from the way assessments have been conducted in the past.

The addendum also proposes changes to the plan’s fishing mortality target and threshold levels as recommended by the Menhaden Technical Committee and supported by the peer review. Rather than conducting a full-scale annual assessment, the addendum proposes a three-year assessment cycle to allow for the increased complexity and data requirements of the new model. The Technical Committee will continue to meet annually to review the current year’s landings and indices. A new assessment may be initiated if there are indications of a significant change in stock status.

The Management Board will meet in May to approve the Draft Addendum for public comment. For more information, please contact Nancy Wallace, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or nwallace@asmfc.org.

ASMFC Initiates Development of Addendum I to the Atlantic Menhaden Plan

Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved the development of an Addendum to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan. The addendum proposes modifications to the plan’s biological reference points and schedule for stock assessments, as well as revisions to the FMP’s habitat section.

This action is based in part on the recommendations of the Menhaden Technical Committee in its 2003 stock assessment, which found that menhaden are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring on a coastwide basis. Peer-reviewed this past October by the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review Panel, the assessment uses a new modeling approach (Forward Projection Model) and fecundity-based biological reference points to determine stock status. These reference points are more accurate and take into account the number of mature ova (eggs). This is a significant departure from the way assessments have been conducted in the past.

The addendum also proposes changes to the plan’s fishing mortality target and threshold levels as recommended by the Menhaden Technical Committee and supported by the peer review. Rather than conducting a full-scale annual assessment, the addendum proposes a three-year assessment cycle to allow for the increased complexity and data requirements of the new model. The Technical Committee will continue to meet annually to review the current year’s landings and indices. A new assessment may be initiated if there are indications of a significant change in stock status.

The Management Board will meet in May to approve the Draft Addendum for public comment. For more information, please contact Nancy Wallace, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or nwallace@asmfc.org.