Bill supports recreational fishing economy and science-based management
With strong bipartisan support the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that improves menhaden management in the Atlantic.
The bill, which is headed to Governor Northam’s desk, transfers management authority of Atlantic menhaden to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, which oversees every other saltwater fishery in the Commonwealth.
Once signed into law, the legislation puts Virginia on a path toward compliance with the regional fishery management plan which was flouted by foreign fishing giant Omega Protein.
“With this landmark decision, the Virginia General Assembly has acknowledged the critical role that recreational fishing plays in the Virginia economy and the need for science, and not politics, to guide management,” said Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “For too long, Omega has exploited the Chesapeake Bay at the expense of recreational anglers. This is a huge step forward for sound fisheries conservation in the Chesapeake. The recreational fishing community thanks the bill sponsors and Governor Northam for their leadership as well as the unfailing support of charter captains, fishing guides and other small businesses who rely on a healthy Chesapeake Bay for their livelihoods.”
In late 2019, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission found Omega Protein had exceeded the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishing cap by 35 million pounds, a ruling upheld by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. Conserving menhaden is particularly important because striped bass, which feed on menhaden, are in worrisome decline.
“As a critical food source for rockfish and other important recreational fisheries, menhaden must be managed sustainably to support their role in the ecosystem,” said Mike Leonard, the American Sportfishing Association’s Vice President of Government Affairs. “Allowing the fisheries management experts at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to manage menhaden is a long-awaited step in ensuring science-based management of the resource. The sportfishing industry is particularly grateful to Governor Northam and leaders in the Virginia state legislature for prioritizing this bill and working diligently toward its passage.”
“There is a growing need for more robust conservation practices in our fisheries – not only with menhaden but all forage fish – and the passage of this bill is an important step towards better recognizing and correcting the harmful impacts overfishing can have on our communities,” said Nicole Vasilaros, senior vice president of government and legal affairs for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “Protecting menhaden is essential for recreational activities in the Chesapeake Bay and we thank Virginia legislators for taking action to that ensure our marine ecosystems remain healthy for generations to come.”
Captain Chris Dollar is a professional fishing guide, tackle shop owner, all-around Chesapeake outdoorsman, and writer.
I seem to recall an incident a few years back when Canada seized Portugese fishing vessels for violating their fishing grounds. Why aren’t we doing the same to theirs? Omega has been raping the bunker population all up and down the American Atlantic coast. Why hasn’t the Federal Government stepped in to defend our resources?
This legislation was looooong overdue, and finally put the rights of our natural resources back in the hands of Virginia, and away from greedy, corporate, reckless profits. We have all known how poorly our Menhaden fishery was being pillaged – thank you to ALL VA legislators!
I have witnessed the devastation and the accompanying illegal harvesting of large breeding striped bass in their nets which were not released and transferred to the smaller boats that set the nets and offload to the motherships. I have witnessed this on at least 20 times most of these interactions were in the ocean in Virginia and others as far north as New Jersey. Omega Protein has never played by the rules as all the violations will attest but the fines are minuscule compared to the profits. What remains of the striped bass stock are primarily undernourished because the huge schools of menhaden are virtually nonexistent. The whales can’t find food nor can the dolphins from North Carolina to Maine the devastation is apparent Omega Protein is and has been for at least the past 25 years that I have personally witnessed destroying the most important resource in our ocean. They will never play by the rules they need to be shut down for good given all of the violations.
Over harvesting of all species needs to be regulated for the future of all biodiversity and ecosystems.
Our oceans have been overfished for at least 3 generations! The “Bunker” populations are a vital food source for many Atlantic species. They MUST be responsibly harvested!
I have witnessed Omega Protein rape the ocean. It is terrible and needs to come to an end or we will have nothing left. There like every other commercial fishing industry….take it all and move onto the next species.
everyone should go fishing
According to the latest comprehensive survey by the Pew Foundation the menhaden biomass is at an all time low just 10% of the historical high and as a 30 year hardcore striper fisherman in the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean in Virginia and Maryland as well as New Jersey and New York that is 100% accurate this devastation by Omega Protein must be stopped now with at least a 50% reduction immediately!
Common sense tells us that we must limit our “take” from streams, lakes and oceans if we want to have sea food on our menus.
If the people of Virginia don’t get rid of Ralph northam, it’s going to get a hell of a lot worse,I say find the problem,get rid of it with a cure,cause the governor is the whole problem.