| "Gulf menhaden range throughout
the Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula to Tampa Bay, Florida; however,
they are most abundant in the north-central Gulf. Their life cycle includes offshore spawning, mostly during winter, with recruitment to and maturation in rivers, bays, bayous, and other near shore habitats. Upon maturation, the fish return to offshore waters to complete the cycle. Menhaden grow rapidly as they filter feed on an abundant supply of plankton in estuaries, with most reaching maturity at age-1. Menhaden are prolific and abundant throughout near shore waters where they form large schools, usually of the same size and age class." "The Gulf menhaden fishery is probably the most tightly monitored and managed fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. The menhaden industry has kept records of every single net set it has made since 1979 and provides these data directly to the National Marine Fisheries Service." Extracts from Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
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