President Trump is considering banning factory fishing for menhaden in federal waters. The NJOA is requesting recreational anglers to let President Trump know that we want him to do this through a direct link to the White House.
Omega Protein reduction fleets owned by its parent company, Canadian – owned Cooke Inc., have been taking huge amounts of menhaden within New Jersey’s coastal zone for a number of years and even use spotter planes to locate the schools of these fish. On June 23, 2025, a fleet of these reduction boats coming from Virginia spent three days fishing off New Jersey and New York waters. Menhaden supports an abundant marine life and a healthy coastal ecosystem. Many ocean fish like striped bass and bluefish rely on menhaden for their food supply. Consequently, the lack of menhaden in our waters greatly reduces our ability to fish for them and negatively impacts the charter/party industry and related industries such as tackle shops and marinas.
The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, which represents salt water fishing clubs, diving groups and conservation advocates across New Jersey is calling for action to close federal waters to the industrial menhaden reduction fleet and is asking NJOA members to support this effort.
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