Responsible fishing practices are a cornerstone of our business.
Securing Tomorrow with Daybrook Fisheries
Our Resource
The Gulf menhaden, also known as Pogies, are small, oily fish that feed on plankton at the surface and migrate in large schools during the fishing season, which runs from the third Monday in April until November 1. The Gulf menhaden are caught using the purse seine fishing method and the industry operates within a strictly regulated, sustainable fishery according to the Gulf States Menhaden Management Plan, with federal oversight from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Certified Sustainable Resource
Daybrook Fisheries was among the first U.S. fisheries to adopt a Responsible Fisheries Implementation Plan, covering various aspects of sound management and operational practices, including conservation, environmental care, safety, harvesting, quality control, legal compliance, and maintaining good relationships with recreational and other maritime interests. In 2019, the Gulf of Mexico menhaden fishery was certified by MSC as a sustainable resource, and Daybrook also received the certification for the MSC Chain of Custody (CoC), ensuring that all processed fish meet this high standard. The company is certified by Marin Trust and is a proactive member of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Protecting Our Waters
Daybrook Fisheries places high importance on every fish in the sea and ensures that both the company and its suppliers operate in ways that protect the Gulf Menhaden fishery, along with its coastal waters and ecosystems. Preserving this fishery for future generations is crucial, and we achieve this by collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies that guide sustainable fishing practices and provide insights into the health of the Gulf Menhaden fishery.
The Life Cycle
The Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus), part of the herring family, is a marine species that feeds in dense schools by filtering plankton. Female menhaden come within 1 -3 miles of the coastline of Louisiana and spawn their eggs in deep water during the months of December into early February. These eggs float into the shoreline continuing up into the marsh area. The eggs hatch in the marsh to produce juvenile menhaden with the harvest being 1-3-year old recruit fish returning to the offshore spawning biomass. Menhaden live for 1 to 3 years and have high fecundity, with females laying up to 360,000 eggs annually, leading to population doubling in under 15 months.
Fishmeal
At Daybrook, we produce fish meal using freshly sourced Gulf Menhaden, ensuring a premium protein quality. We provide a range of antioxidant solutions to maintain the highest product standards. Unlike vegetable proteins, our fish meal boasts a superior amino acid profile, high digestibility, and excellent omega-3 fatty acids suitable for both animal and aquaculture nutrition.
Fish Oil
We produce our fish oil from fresh Menhaden using a quick, clean, and controlled process, ensuring minimal free fatty acids. Our long-chain omega-3 fatty acids with an optimal EPA/DHA ratio make it an excellent nutritional option for animals feeds. Daybrook quality oil is known for its low FFA and excellent oxidative values like Peroxide (PV) and Anisidine (AV).
Fish Solubles
Our fish solubles are highly valued and in demand for it’s uses as an attractant for fish feeds or baits and as a natural fertilizer for organic crops. This is an intermediate product made during the wet-rendering process. Typically, the majority is added back to the fishmeal however customer demands for the strong fish odor and high amino acids ensure we provide fish solubles year-round.