Houde Fisheries Research Laboratory

Atlantic Menhaden and Bay Anchovy

Atlantic menhaden and bay anchovy are small but abundant fishes that play key ecological and economic roles in coastal ecosystems. They are forage fishes- -fed upon by predatory fishes and birds, and constitute a key link between plankton and predator production.  Recruitment levels of menhaden and anchovy are substantially lower now in Chesapeake Bay than in the 1970s.  We are investigating causes of recruitment variability in these fishes with support from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Maryland Sea Grant. We are estimating and modeling growth of menhaden and bay anchovy, and its temporal-spatial variability in relation to primary production and environmental factors.  In addition, we are determining food habits and developing bioenergetics models to describe and explain growth variability.  Another component of the research is to estimate ingress of menhaden larvae into Chesapeake Bay from spawning sites in the coastal ocean. The overall objective is to explain why forage fish recruitments, especially for menhaden, have declined in the past three decades.

Representative Publication

Houde, E. D.  2007.  Bold new science and precautionary management.  Solomons Sketches 10(1):4-5.

Jung, S. and E. D. Houde.  2004.  Production of bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli in Chesapeake Bay: application of size-based theory.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 281:217-232.

Jung, S. and E. D. Houde.  2004.  Recruitment and spawning stock biomass distribution of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) in Chesapeake Bay.  Fishery Bulletin, U.S. 102:63-77.