Virginia’s proposal to limit the amount of Atlantic menhaden harvested in the Chesapeake Bay won approval despite arguments that the plan is not as restrictive as it should be.
In a victory for the Virginia delegation and fisheries, a menhaden management board within the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission agreed to Virginia’s proposal to cap the yearly menhaden catch at 109,020 metric tons— or 240,345,492 pounds — during the next five fishing seasons. The proposal includes a credit to fisheries of up to 122,740 metric tons, if the prior year did not yield the cap.
Environmentalists have been arguing for a moratorium or cap on the industry to research the fish, whose population they say has been declining. The bay’s largest menhaden fisher, Omega Protein, agreed to support research efforts —a major step in the process, according to officials.
The proposal “will protect the health of the menhaden fishery, foster additional scientific research and protect fishery-related jobs,” said Gov. Tim Kaine, who said he looked forward to final approval this fall.
The management board proposed a 106,000 metric ton cap on the Bay’s menhaden harvest in 2005. Virginia was to comply with that cap or propose another solution by July 1. The commonwealth’s proposal was submitted by Aug. 1.
“We’re allowing a state to come up with a less-restrictive management plan for not meeting the implementation date,” said Peter Himchak with New Jersey’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Several other board commissioners expressed concern about the credit system to allow low harvests one year turn into a larger harvest the following year, something the commission has never allowed to happen.
“We are not going to allow this of any fishery in the future,” said Rep. Dennis Abbot, a New Hampshire state representative.
“Maybe 20 years from now their strategy will prove right, but right now they aren’t doing anything,” said Jim Price, director of the Chesapeake Bay Ecological Foundation, who said he believes menhaden are overfished in the Bay.
Howard King of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources said the plan was “on the right track” and “should be fueled by research and not by emotion.”
Comments on Virginia’s Proposal
» Virginia’s plan, called the draft addendum, is available Aug. 31.
» The plan can be found at www.asmfc.org under breaking news.
» The plan can be obtained by calling 202-289-6400.
» Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Oct. 6
