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I was a productive meeting
This is indeed an important issue and it DOES affect Narragansett Bay.
RISAA, after discussing the matter in more detail with the RFA, came out NOT SUPPORTING THE CAP. They called for NO RENDERING BOATS IN ANY STATE WATERS. That is the law in RI now; no rendering boats or the sale to rendering boats in the bay. No rendering boats in CT, NY, NJ.
The people from Omega Protein were there observing the proceedings.
I read a statement from the RFA calling for NO RENDERING BOATS IN ANY ATLANTIC STATES.
Virginia, where Omega Protein is based, is going to be the real battlefield and they are already threatening a law suit. The RFA says, "Bring it on." They want to re-open all the other states they've been pushed out of -- that's not going to happen. There are enough menhaden for them in the offshore waters. Let's keep them out of the bays coastwide.
If we can get them out of the Chesapeake or even establish a cap that is below their last 5 year historic average we will see a significant return of menhaden to Narragansett Bay -- maybe to the point where there is enough for recreational anglers AND Arc Bait -- a totally different issue.
A new book "Striper Wars" is a must read. It not only covers what's happening with the rendering industry, but it also covers how Rhode Island and lot of local anglers (many you probably know) had a major role in bringing back the stripers from almost certain annihilation. It's by #^&#^&#^&#^& Russell and it is available at Amazon.
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