A local fisherman displays menhaden from the Elizabeth River in 2023. Photo Credit by WHRO
You may recall that Will Poston, Forage Campaign Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), was the Guest Speaker for our chapter August, 2025 dinner meeting.
Will just recently sent us a link to a news article that provides a status update on the 2026 Menhaden Fishery, entitled “Menhaden board cuts amount harvesters can catch along the Atlantic next year” that was published by Katherine Hafner of WHRO on October 29, 2025.
This article announces that the coastwide menhaden catch limit will be reduced by 20%, which is less than environmental and recreational fishing groups had hoped after a recently reported decline in the menhaden population. The topic will be revisited next fall, with the potential for further cuts for 2027 and 2028.
For more information, see the WHRO article posted at https://www.whro.org/environment/2025-10-29/menhaden-board-cuts-amount-harvesters-can-catch-along-the-atlantic-next-year?utm_source=enewsletter&utm_medium=enews.
Note: special thanks to Chapter Membership Chair Alan Ferguson for forwarding this information from Will.
