VIMS to assess social and economic value of menhaden

The socioeconomic study complements several ecological studies of menhaden populations in Chesapeake Bay by fisheries researchers at VIMS.

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) are small, oily fish that lie at the center of a debate concerning their relative importance to the Bay ecosystem and economy. Menhaden support one of the most commercially important fisheries along the Atlantic Coast, providing fish meal, fish oil, and bait for other fisheries. They also play an important ecological role, filtering Bay waters by consuming large quantities of plankton, and serving as a favorite food for striped bass and other popular game fish.

The study, by VIMS researchers Jim Kirkley, Tom Murray, Winnie Ryan, and Dennis Taylor, will compare menhaden's economic contributions both in terms of the commercial fishery and the "ecosystem services" that menhaden provide. Assisting in the study are researchers Rob Hicks (College of William and Mary); Doug Lipton, Ted McConnell, and Ivar Strand (University of Maryland); and John Duberg of the Nearing Group (Baltimore, MD).

The study will also assess the importance of menhaden to the viability of the communities that depend on the fish for their livelihood. Those include Reedville, Virginia, home to the Chesapeake Bay's commercial menhaden fleet and processing facilities, and Deltaville, home to a recreational charter fleet that frequently targets the game fish that depend on menhaden as prey. In addition, the researchers will examine the potential social and economic importance of menhaden to other communities and stakeholder groups in both Virginia and Maryland.

Results of the study will help the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission decide among alternative regulatory and conservation options for menhaden. It also will provide detailed information about how alternative options might impact affected communities.

Members of the research team are currently seeking input to assist in their project assessments. Interested stakeholders can participate by way of an interactive web site at http://www.vims.edu/~winnie/. Registered members of this web site will be able to post comments, receive notice of additions and changes, and participate in on-line discussions of project progress.

Individuals interested in knowing more about the study, providing input, or obtaining a copy of the research proposal may also telephone or e-mail Jim Kirkley (804-684-7160, jkirkley@vims.edu) or Winnie Ryan (804-684-7938, winnie@vims.edu), or contact them via land mail at the College of William and Mary, VIMS/SMS, PO Box 1346, Gloucester Point, VA 23062-1346.

Funding for the project is from VMRC's Recreational and Commercial Fisheries Boards.

Questions or Comments? Contact the News & Media webmaster