Distribution

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 coastal rivers, bays, bayous, and other nearshore 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 ubiquitous and are abundant throughout nearshore waters where they form large schools, usually similar sized individuals.

Since gulf menhaden are distributed throughout most of the Gulf, they therefore come under the jurisdiction and authority of several state agencies.  The Gulf states cooperate with each other through the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to enact multi-state cooperative management of gulf menhaden, without relinquishing their individual state authorities.