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By PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer
Despite calls to restrict the harvesting of menhaden, a regional fisheries agency yesterday declined to impose any limits, instead ordering more extensive research on the lowly fish that plays a vital role in the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.
At a meeting of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in New Hampshire yesterday, the Menhaden Management Board declined to cap the commercial menhaden fishery.
The board, which regulates the fishery up and down the East Coast, did call for extensive research on menhaden. That motion was sponsored by board member Pete Jensen, an associate deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
A coalition of fishing and environmental groups, including the Annapolis-based Chesapeake Bay Foundation, had called for catch limits while more research is conducted. Members of the coalition, dubbed "Menhaden Matter," saw yesterday's action as better than nothing.
"While it was still a punt, at least it was a punt in the right direction," said #^&#^&#^&#^& Brame of the Coastal Conservation Association, a sportfishing group.
"We're all supportive of doing the things in this motion, but it's all long-term stuff," said Bill Goldsborough, a senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "We don't feel we have that much time."
The CCA, the CBF and other groups are concerned that menhaden may be fished out of existence. The small fish serve as food for rockfish and other bay fish, and act as filter feeders, cleaning bay waters.
But they also are valued by a commercial fishing industry. Companies like Omega Protein of Texas sweep up menhaden in giant nets, turning them into nutritional supplements. The technique, called "purse-seining," isn't allowed in Maryland waters.
Menhaden also are used in cosmetics, in pet food and as bait.
Omega has a significant presence in Virginia, and captures millions of pounds of menhaden in Virginia's part of the bay and along North Carolina's coast.
Toby Gascon, Omega's vice president of government affairs, said there's no proof that any catch limits are needed. Besides, Omega has no plans for significant increases in its fishing operations.
"Current science indicates no action is needed to keep the population thriving," he said.
Omega will support catch limits only if research shows menhaden are threatened.
Mr. Goldsborough of the CBF said there are signs of trouble already. Menhaden levels in the bay are dropping, the fish aren't reproducing as well, and rockfish that eat menhaden are getting skinnier.
He said a temporary cap to keep harvesting at current levels would be prudent.
"We feel that there are a lot of warning signs that the menhaden stock is declining in the bay, causing a number of ecological problems," he said.
The menhaden board will meet in February with a technical committee made up of scientists who will conduct the research. By August, that group will provide a preliminary report.
Those advocating catch limits are counting on the matter coming up again. There was a motion at yesterday's meeting for temporary caps, but it was immediately tabled.
Mr. Goldsborough said he hopes the matter of menhaden management doesn't get tangled up in the bureaucracy and various committees of the fisheries commission.
"This can go on a long time if you let it," he said.
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