Eight major recreational fishing and boating groups are asking the Virginia General Assembly to advance legislation that transfers management authority of Atlantic menhaden, a key food source for striped bass and other recreational fish, to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, American Sportfishing Association, BoatU.S., Center for Sportfishing Policy, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, and National Marine Manufacturers Association are banding together in support of House Bill 1448 and Senate Bill 791, which shifts management authority to the Commission. Currently menhaden are the only finfish in Virginia not under the Commission’s purview.
The legislation would bring Virginia back into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) after the Commonwealth was found in violation of ASMFC’s fishery management plan for failing to enforce the Chesapeake Bay harvest cap. This finding was the result of industrial fishing giant Omega Protein exceeding the cap by approximately 30 percent last year. The groups are raising concerns because when the menhaden population declines, it impacts striped bass, cobia, bluefish, and summer flounder.
“These valuable recreational fisheries are major contributors to America’s economy and support many fishing-dependent businesses within Virginia and across our industry,” the groups wrote. “In Virginia alone, the annual value of striped bass has declined from $240 million to $120 million in the past decade while associated jobs have declined from 3,950 to 1,830 in the same time period.”
The groups called on the General Assembly to pass the legislation, saying it’s important because it gives full time fisheries managers the authority to manage menhaden.
“Your support will demonstrate clear leadership to the thousands of Bay anglers and the hundreds of businesses they support and bring the Commonwealth of Virginia back into compliance,” the groups added.
Over 50 local businesses, including charter boat operators have also thrown their support behind the legislation.
The coalition’s letter of support can be found HERE.
Keep it the best we can have at all times!!!
It only makes sense that fisheries should be managed by professional Fisheries Managers
Put the Menhaden back in the hands of the VMRC to ENSURE the BALANCE of resources is returned and maintained PROPERLY. Thank you, George E. Layton
I support returning regulation of Menhaden to ASMFC
Having spent much time on (in) the Delmarva area AND having grown up on the South Shore of Long Island, I have been fishing the Atlantic and its many bays for a good portion of my life. If Omega Protein continues to overfish the Menhaden population, many species of fish that are dependent on this resource for food will have their numbers even further reduced. Since Omega is based out of Virginia, THAT State should be in charge of monitoring the Mossbunker harvest in order to make sure that the population can sustain itself over the long term. Proper (sustainable) regulation of this vital food source will have a positive impact not only on the Delmarva area but also New Jersey, New York, and virtually the entire Northeast sport (and commercial!) fishing industries.
Respectfully submitted, Bob
Time to take fight to the gulf. TRCP can use this fight to build brand recognition and help rebuild CCA as an important ally to rebuild fisheries for our entire community. Pick up the fight!
I fish L.I. Sound and for about the past four years we have seen pods of bunker, but no stripers or blues under them. My feelings which is shared by many other fishermen is that the stripers and blues are being over harvested, both commercially and by sport fishermen as well as an influx of people who have no regard for our fishing regulations. The protection of forage species cannot be over emphasized .