A coalition of recreational fishing organisations, charter captains and fishing businesses from New Jersey and New York has filed a formal rulemaking petition asking U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to prohibit industrial menhaden reduction fishing in the New York-New Jersey Bight, the Forage Fish Campaign announced on October 21 and ACCESS Newswire reported on October 22.
Source: Forage Fish Campaign
The petition asks the Commerce Department to establish an immediate emergency seasonal closure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and to begin rulemaking for a permanent closure each year from May 1 through December 31, according to the campaign's release, carried by Morningstar via ACCESS Newswire.
Source: Morningstar / ACCESS Newswire
'Atlantic menhaden are the foundation of a healthy marine ecosystem, sustaining everything from striped bass and bluefish to whales, dolphins and seabirds,' said Mark Taylor, president of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, in the release. Petitioners say their members are reporting an alarming absence of menhaden across New Jersey's coastal waters as the fish begin their annual fall migration south through the Bight.
Source: Forage Fish Campaign
The other side disputes the emergency claim
The industrial fleet's side disputes the petition. In a response published by Saving Seafood for the American Small Pelagics Network, Ocean Harvesters spokesperson Ben Landry said the fleet had fished above Atlantic City only one day in the 2026 season, had not found fishable concentrations north of Atlantic City, and argued the petition supplies no verified October landings showing an imminent surge. Both the petition filing and the industry response confirm the same core fact: the petition was filed this week and is now before the Commerce Secretary.
Source: Saving Seafood / American Small Pelagics Network
The Commerce Department has not announced a decision in the reporting. Petitioners want an emergency closure first, then a permanent May 1–December 31 seasonal rule; the industry wants the petition rejected.
Menhaden are a small oily fish caught in large volumes and reduced into fishmeal and oil, and they are also a key food source for striped bass — the signature fall catch for charter boats from Atlantic Highlands to Montauk. Petitioners include the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, the Hudson River Fishermen's Association and charter and tackle businesses in both states, the release listed.
What is solid
- A coalition filed a formal petition this week asking Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for an emergency ban and a permanent May 1–December 31 seasonal closure on menhaden reduction fishing in the NY-NJ Bight.
- Petitioners say menhaden are a foundation food source for striped bass, bluefish, tuna, whales and seabirds, and report an absence of menhaden in NJ coastal waters.
- Industry spokesperson Ben Landry (Ocean Harvesters) said the fleet fished above Atlantic City only one day in 2026 and disputes that an October emergency is documented.
What is only claimed
- Whether reduction fishing caused the reported absence of menhaden and bass problems — petitioners allege it; the American Small Pelagics Network response says the petition does not demonstrate causation and cites recreational fishing mortality.