APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
--In recent years, as in the 1960's, fishing pressure 
had reduced the number of spawning age females, 
affecting reproduction of menhaden. 
NMFS believes that the fishing pressure has been 
primarily responsible for declining yields in the Atlantic, 
although industry contends that deterioration of the 
nursery areas has been a prime cause for the decline. NMFS 
does not discount nursery area deterioration as having some 
effect on reducing the size of future stocks but has found 
little basis for a strong supporting argument. 
Gulf 
The gulf menhaden yield is thought to be near its peak, 
which would limit potential harvest, but some growth is pos- 
Sible. There is concern that the growth be controlled and 
measured. 
Harvesting capability 
Atlantic 
Indications are that the harvesting capability exceeds 
that which is needed to catch the resource available. NMFS 
says that the fishing effort is presently greater, about 25 
percent, than what is required to achieve MSY, and could do 
irrepairable damage to the number of harvestable menhaden. 
Gulf 
The capability is no obstacle for the gulf fishery at 
this time. The MSY is thought to be close, in which case 
the growth of harvesting capability would be limited by the 
resource available to harvest. 
Product development and processing 
No obstacles exist in product development and proces- 
sing. 
Market development 
No obstacles exist in menhaden market development. 
The market is developed; only the supply of menhaden is 
limited. 
Management controls--Atlantic and gulf 
There are no management controls. 
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