Premium pet food is a booming industry. What many don’t realize is that one of its key ingredients—Gulf menhaden—starts its journey in Louisiana, supporting jobs, local economies, and coastal communities.
The Local Catch Behind a Global Industry
Menhaden oil and fishmeal are vital to premium pet food formulations, appearing in homes from Baton Rouge to Beijing. But their economic story begins on Louisiana’s working coast. The menhaden fishery generates over $419 million in annual economic output and supports more than 2,000 jobs across 32 parishes.
This makes it one of the largest and most important commercial fisheries in the U.S., yet few consumers understand the role it plays in products they use every day.
Investing in Local Communities
Companies like Westbank Fishing and Daybrook Fisheries and their counterparts from western Louisiana, Omega Protein and Ocean Harvesters, are anchors of Louisiana’s fishing economy. They don’t just catch fish—they invest in the people and places that make the fishery run. In 2023 alone, these two companies contributed roughly $60 million in employee compensation.
“This isn’t just about fishing—it’s about building strong communities,” said Francois Kuttel, President of Westbank Fishing. “From the deckhands on our boats to the families relying on these jobs in Plaquemines and beyond, the menhaden industry is a powerful force for economic stability and local opportunity. We’re proud that what we do here in Louisiana helps feed the world’s pets while supporting the people who call this coast home.”
Much of that money goes to workers from multigenerational fishing families, especially in Plaquemines and Vermilion Parishes and other underserved areas. These jobs pay well, offer stability, and help sustain rural communities that often face limited economic opportunities.
Keeping the Value Local
Unlike some industries that export raw materials and import finished goods, Louisiana’s menhaden fishery adds value at home. Fish are processed locally into refined oil and high-protein fishmeal for pet and animal nutrition markets.
That means more of the economic benefit stays in Louisiana—from payroll and taxes to capital investment and community development. This model supports both economic resilience and long-term industry health.
Global Demand, Local Roots
As demand for functional pet food ingredients grows worldwide, the Gulf menhaden fishery is uniquely positioned to meet it. The fishery is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council for sustainability and operates under tight regulations to ensure it remains viable for future generations.
That gives international brands confidence in sourcing from Louisiana, and it gives local workers pride in knowing their labor contributes to global markets.
A Story That Deserves More Recognition
Behind the bags of kibble and cans of wet food is a powerful story of local grit and global impact. Gulf menhaden might not be well-known outside the fishing industry, but its role in the economy is anything but small.
“Our crews understand that every fish we harvest carries responsibility—with the environment, with the community, and with the global brands that count on us,” said Ben Landry, a representative of Ocean Harvesters. “The Gulf menhaden fishery is proof that a working waterfront can also be a model of sustainability and global relevance. It’s a local story with international reach, and it deserves to be told.”
Pet food brands are proud to source from a clean, well-managed fishery. Consumers are increasingly curious about where their pet food comes from. And Louisiana continues to lead the way with a model that’s sustainable, scalable, and rooted in community.
Feeding Pets, Supporting People
As the pet food industry grows, so too does the opportunity to tell the story of how a small Gulf fish is feeding more than animals. It’s feeding families, sustaining communities, and driving one of Louisiana’s most quietly powerful economic engines.
It’s time this fish got the credit it deserves.
