How many reduction plants are there that harvest gulf menhaden and what is their annual production?
**There are currently three reduction (processing) plants for Gulf menhaden, and recent annual landings (nearly all for reduction into fish meal, oil, and solubles) have averaged roughly 400,000–450,000 metric tons (mt), with 2023–2025 figures in the ~370,000–435,000 mt range.** (LINK) (LINK)
The plants are:
– Moss Point, Mississippi (Omega Protein / Ocean Harvesters)
– Abbeville, Louisiana (Omega Protein / Ocean Harvesters)
– Empire, Louisiana (Daybrook Fisheries / Westbank Fishing) (LINK) (LINK)
These are operated by two companies. The industry consolidated significantly over decades. Peak numbers reached 10–14 plants (1960s–1980s) and as many as 13 historically, declining through buyouts and closures. Four plants operated from about 2000 into the early 2010s (including a Cameron, Louisiana, plant owned by Omega Protein), but the Cameron facility closed around 2013–2014 as part of further consolidation. By the mid-2010s onward, only the three listed plants have remained active. (LINK) (LINK) (LINK)
**Recent annual production/landings** (primarily reduction fishery; bait and recreational are minor) include:
– 2023: approximately 415,000–434,000 mt
– 2024: figures reported as ~371,000 mt in one bycatch study summary and ~419,000 mt in Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) data
– 5-year average (around recent years): roughly 417,000 mt
– 2025 (through September or projected full year): around 412,000–421,000 mt (LINK) (LINK)
Longer-term context: landings peaked near 983,000 mt in 1984, averaged higher (often 500,000+ mt) in earlier decades, and stabilized in the 400,000–500,000 mt range more recently after fleet and plant reductions (fleet now roughly 30–33 vessels, including run boats). Nearly all commercial Gulf menhaden landings go to these reduction plants. (LINK)
Figures can vary slightly by source due to preliminary reporting, inclusion of minor bait/recreational components, or timing. Data come primarily from NOAA Fisheries, GSMFC, and SEDAR stock assessments. The fishery is managed mainly at the state level (especially Louisiana) with federal data collection.