Anglers from Atlantic coastal states – Maine through Virginia – be warned that your public comments on Addendum II to Amendment 3 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden are due by 11:59 PM (EST) on October 9, 2026.
Menhaden serve a critical role as a staple forage fish for popular sportfish across the region, such as striped bass, bluefish, bluefin tuna and many others. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission initiated Draft Addendum II in response to growing concerns over declining pound net harvest and reduced catch per unit effort in the Chesapeake Bay. These trends coincide with a high concentration of reduction harvest during summer months and potential downstream effects on key menhaden predators.
To address these issues, the Draft Addendum considers options to reduce the Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap by up to 50% and distribute the cap more evenly across three quota periods. These options aim to alleviate concentrated fishing effort during critical spring and summer months and protect the broader ecosystem. Additionally, proposed options would link the Bay Cap to the coastwide Total Allowable Catch to maintain a fixed proportional balance between the two.
Public participation is essential to shaping these fishery management decisions. Anglers can submit comments online via the public comment survey on the Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum II Action Tracker Webpage, which allows users to select preferred options and provide open-ended feedback.
Comments can also be submitted by emailing comments@asmfc.org with the subject line “Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum II,” or by mailing written input to James Boyle, ASMFC, 1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200-N, Arlington, VA 22201. All comments must be received by October 9 at 11:59 PM EST.
