Statement from DMR Commissioner on Menhaden Quota for 2027 and 2028

This week, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Atlantic Menhaden Management Board voted to establish a new coastwide Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2027 and 2028 fishing seasons.

After a series of back-and-forth motions, the Board approved a coastwide TAC of 170,000 metric tons for 2027, and 155,000 metric tons for 2028, which represents a 9% reduction in 2027 from the 2026 TAC of 186,840 metric tons, and another 9% reduction in 2028. Based on Maine's allocation, this will result in a roughly 17.8-million-pound quota for 2027 and a 16.2-million-pound quota for 2028.

For those who listened into the Board meeting, it was clear that this is a very divided topic, given the importance of menhaden for bait and forage. While the lobster fishery advocated for status quo, this outcome is a significantly better alternative for our bait industry to other motions which were made, including a 39% reduction for 2027 and a phased-in 30% reduction across 2027 and 2028. Maine worked to highlight how devastating these large reductions would be to our bait and lobster fisheries. A motion for status quo was supported by Maine, but it did not pass.

I want to thank the Maine fishermen and industry organizations who submitted written comments, provided oral comments on the record, and participated in the meeting. Your efforts were critical to underscore the importance of this species to Maine's coastal communities.

On the second day of its meeting, the Board briefly began a discussion on re-allocation. A motion not to re-allocate (not made by Maine) was postponed until the Board's winter meeting. Over the coming months, DMR will continue to explore management actions to offset the economic impacts of declines in the coastwide TAC.

As I stated last year when the Board approved a 20% TAC reduction, Maine will continue to work with other states to request quota transfers that support the need for this vital bait here in Maine. We will also work with industry this winter to discuss the in-state management of our quota and how to best support access to bait for our lobster fishermen when it is most needed.

Carl Wilson
Commissioner
Maine Department of Marine Resources