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Legislature provides best oversight for menhaden fishery Date published: 1/26/2010
As many of you are aware, there has been a longstanding effort to move regulation of the menhaden fishery from the General Assembly to Virginia Marine Resource Commission.
This movement has resurfaced this year. We both have received a considerable amount of correspondence regarding this issue. Because it's an issue that has its roots in the Northern Neck, we wanted to jointly respond and share our unified bipartisan position with our constituents. This issue has a dramatic impact on We have come to the conclusion that we must oppose transferring regulation of the menhaden fishery to VMRC at this time. While it is true that the menhaden is We believe that transferring the management to VMRC will only transfer the fight that seems to be taking place irrespective The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which is the federal regulatory board, has recently completed an assessment of the Atlantic stock that indicates menhaden are above a healthy population, and mortality rates are below threshold. The report also indicated low by-catch and an abundance of healthy reproductive female menhaden. Studies of the Atlantic menhaden stock have concluded that the Atlantic menhaden is a healthy and sustainable fishery. Studies of the Chesapeake Bay menhaden stock have not yet been completed. Having grown up on the Chesapeake Bay, we can remember when there were considerably more "fish boats" operating with much less regulatory oversight. While these boats did not have GPS navigation, they certainly had spotter pilots and a competitive spirit. Thus, our observations tell us that fishing pressure and catch effort is significantly less than in past years. Please know that while we are supportive of the fishery--and the jobs and families it sustains in the Northern Neck--we are dedicated to a sustainable fishery. Accordingly, we made it very clear to all involved that if studies show an unsustainable fishery, we are prepared to take appropriate action. Richard Stuart Montross State Sen. Stuart represents the Albert Pollard Lancaster Del. Pollard represents the 99th House District.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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