New York Times Op Ed Menhaden CommentIn
November 2016, we sent a comment to the New York Times in response to an Op Ed.
article by Richard Schiffman, Not Just Another Stinky Fish.
When
Dr. Everett left the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as Chief of
the Research Division in 2002, he had several science papers on his To-Do list
and also wanted to do some consulting. Ultimately the science papers had to take a back seat while his consulting company (Ocean Associates, Inc.) grew. During that growth period, he enlisted a noted researcher to be on his menhaden scientific paper team. This researcher
mentioned that menhaden don’t eat blue crabs - "When they get one in their
mouth they shake violently.” The researcher was asked how many crabs were left alive in the
tank at the end of the day and he said “none.” The crabs were likely being
broken up because of their spines. He said his fish were medium-sized adults.
When
Dr. Everett testified before the House of Representatives, a trophy menhaden was on the table before the committee. Its mouth was about
5 inches across and the fish had weighed several pounds. It had not likely eaten much algae for it's last 15 years.
Our
NYT transmittal follows:
To the Editor:
Re “Not Just Another Stinky Fish” (Oct 26, 2016):
Menhaden are a key food for many species yet their ecological role
is more complex than Mr. Schiffman suggests. While
these fish do filter large volumes of water - a presumed benefit for the
Chesapeake Bay where excessive algae diminish water quality, they feed on algae
efficiently only when very young. Menhaden are omnivorous, likely consuming
anything that fits in their large mouths. When young, they eat both algae and
animals, such as small crustaceans, that eat algae. Migrating from bays to the
ocean in autumn when they are 9 months old, menhaden permanently shift to a
primary diet of animal life. Maintaining high numbers of menhaden that reach 17
years and over 15 inches, and filter their habitat nearly 24/7, might not always
be in the best interest of important species that start life in the water
column as eggs, larvae and juveniles, including blue crabs, oysters, lobsters
and many sport fish—and menhaden. The implication of
this diet on fisheries management is important.
Dr. John T. Everett and Mary Means Odum
For reviewers:
Dr. Everett is President and MS. Odum is Director of Science Programs at
Ocean Associates, Incorporated
4007 N. Abingdon Street
Arlington, Virginia USA 22207
On the web at
http://www.OceanAssociates.com
Here is a link to a presentation about OAI
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rap0cyble3y922v/OAI_Presentation.pdf?dl=0
and also Dr. Everett’s bio.
http://www.oceanassoc.com/BioJTEverett.pdf
This letter is based on a scientific
paper in preparation. Most of the material was presented in testimony to
Congress. The short Oral presentation is here:
http://www.oceanassoc.com/MenhadenForageFishOral.pdf
and the full testimony is here:
http://www.oceanassoc.com/MenhadenHouse08.pdf
Partial list of references:
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This page last updated or reviewed in December 2016