Menhaden have high protein and oil content. These are two portions of the diet that are energy-intensive to produce. In nature when things are difficult to produce they are often limiting factors for the dependent population. Animal populations that are dependent on menhaden are diverse and include migratory waterfowl, wading birds, and numerous species of game fish. Human do not "knowingly" eat menhaden (think of sardines, but with a stronger fish odor and a lot more oil).

Since menhaden do not serve as a source of human food, they could be harvested by commercial enterprise unimpeded by fishermen, hunetrs, conservationists or preservationists. Factories were built. Aerial observation directed harvesters exactly analogous to Spice Harvesters in "Dune".

Many species of sea life feed on menhaden. Most of that sea life is unimportant to humanity. Some is.

Should menhaden harvest be regulated? Why or why not?

B