I wrote to Neptune about environmental concern with Menhaden, and they wrote back to clarify:

"Thank you so much for writing and letting me know what people are saying. I�m not sure where the idea came from that we use Menhaden. We don�t, and never have. I�ll explain our process to you, so you can share.

Our primary business was always a wholesale Fish house. We�ve unloaded fishing boats here in Gloucester, MA, the oldest seaport in the county, since the early 1920�s, when my Grandfather bought this property. In 1965 my Father took over the business. We were processing a lot of Fish here in the 80�s when the plant that took the fish remains �gurry�, went out of business. They had been turning the �gurry� into pet food. When you fillet a fish, only 30 to 40% is the fillet, the rest, 60 to 70% is left over. We were forced at that time to start paying Fishermen to take this �gurry� back to sea and dump it. This was very expensive, wasteful, and bad for the environment, because as it decomposed, it sucked oxygen from the water, creating a dead zone. At that time, we decided to start turning the gurry, into fertilizer. We knew it worked great, and was organic so it would be a win/win. The species we use are haddock, cod, flounder, hake, cusk, pollock, monkfish, skate, dogfish, and other species that are caught for human consumption. These fish swim in the cold, clean, mineral rich North Atlantic Ocean, which is nature�s perfect source for the nutrients plants and soil need. By making our Fertilizer, we are now utilizing 100% of the Fish, and not wasting anything. We are very environmentally friendly. .. The fishing regulations here are extremely strict, and have forced many hard working Fishermen out of business, not because of lack of Fish, but because of agenda driven policies.

... If anyone wants to delve in further to these issues, they can go to our local paper www.gloucestertimes.com and click on the Fishing News section. It�s criminal to say the least.

This is a 400 year old proud industry that has been passed on from generation to generation and the policies that are putting people out of work are corrupt. Long story short, they are trying to privatize the oceans, and do to Fishermen, what they did to the family Farmer. I�m sure this is MUCH more than you needed, but I get fired up when people judge before they know the truth. I�ve attached a brief history, and a press release, that you may also find useful.

Ann Molloy ann@neptunesharvest.com

*** Both Celeste and NewYorkRita who posted absolutely stunning pics use Neptune products. Neptune products are different from others since they use raw fish with omega-3 and amino acids intact. It's the microbes that I'm after for healthy soil.