Menhaden catch down

Gulf of Mexico menhaden landings fell 17 percent in 2010 as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill curtailed the season. Ben Landry, director of public affairs for Omega Protein, said the 2010 fishing season was rough. The company thinks the season's lower-than-average catch was due to the water closures rather than any problems with the menhaden population. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that the 2010 menhaden season saw 379,727 metric tons landed at four Gulf sites, compared to 457,457 metric tons in 2009. (Source: Mississippi Press, 02/03/11)