U.S. Small Pelagic Fisheries
The fisheries we cover support America's coastal communities, food security, and marine ecosystems.
253 articles
Atlantic Menhaden
Brevoortia tyrannus
The largest fishery by volume on the U.S. Atlantic coast, supplying bait, animal feed and omega-3 nutrition.
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67 articles
Gulf Menhaden
Brevoortia patronus
The largest fishery by volume in the Gulf, it is a source of bait, animal feed, and omega-3 nutrition.
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200 articles
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Supplies bait to the lobster fishery, and an important species in the food web of the northwest Atlantic.
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44 articles
Mackerel & Butterfish
Scomber scombrus · Peprilus triacanthus
These fisheries supply food, bait and export markets along the Atlantic seaboard.
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How small pelagic fisheries are managed
Responsibility is split between federal and interstate regulators. Atlantic menhaden by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Gulf menhaden by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Atlantic herring by the New England Fishery Management Council, and mackerel, squid and butterfish together by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.