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Why is menhaden caught in large quantities in the Gulf of Mexico?

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Map of the Gulf of Mexico showing surrounding regions of the United States, Mexico, Cuba, and the Yucatan Peninsula. The map highlights underwater features such as shelves, escarpments, canyons, and the Mexico Basin, with varying shades of blue indicating water depths. Major coastal cities like Houston, New Orleans, Tampa, and Havana are labeled, and spot depths are marked in meters.
Gulf of Mexico / Gulf of America

Menhaden are caught in large quantities in the Gulf of Mexico primarily because they are a vital resource for the production of fish meal and protein concentrate used in animal feed.12

While many species in the Gulf are harvested for human consumption, menhaden—specifically the Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus)—make up the bulk of the catch intended for industrial and agricultural use. These fish are highly valued for their oil and are also processed into fertilizer. Their abundance along the continental shelf makes them a cornerstone of the region's commercial fishing industry.321