Menhaden News

[eelman]

Menhaden catch capped in Chesapeake Bay

Published in the Asbury Park Press 08/18/05
BY KIRK MOORE
STAFF WRITER

Atlantic states fishing regulators agreed Wednesday to cap industrial
menhaden fishing in Chesapeake Bay for five years — a victory for
recreational fishing and environmental groups, but one that could be
challenged by a fleet that's already been kicked out of New Jersey
waters and other coastal states.

Omega Protein's net boats would be limited to 105,800 metric tons of
menhaden from Chesapeake Bay starting in 2006, after a vote by the
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission menhaden board in
Alexandria, Va.

In an Aug. 11 letter to menhaden committee Chairman Jack Travelstead,
Omega Vice President Toby Gascon said the company would pledge to
voluntarily hold its annual harvests to 131,000 metric tons a year for
five years.

The company can't support, "and will resist," any restrictions that it
sees as not being based on the best scientific evidence, Gascon said.
But it was willing to set the five-year limit on catches to address
critics' concerns, he wrote.

Board members discussed the Omega proposal for several hours Wednesday,
but ultimately voted to impose the lower cap that had been sought by
Menhaden Matter, an effort by Omega critics, who wanted the catch
limited to an average of the last five years.

"It's a first step. All our work begins right now," said Ken Hinman of
the Virginia-based National Center for Marine Conservation.

Menhaden have long been processed into fish meal and oil for a range of
industrial and animal feed uses. Omega recently opened a new fish oil
plant in Virginia designed to meet growing demand for omega-3 fish oils
for human consumption.

Recreational fishing and environmental activists contend Omega is taking
too many menhaden, affecting the ecosystem of Chesapeake Bay and the
health of striped bass, a popular food and game fish that feed on
menhaden and range up the coast to New Jersey waters.

Omega officials counter that critics don't have scientific evidence to
back their claims, and the company has indicated it may appeal any new
catch limits.

[piemma]

This is great news. All the more reason for what we discussed for next year.

[CANAL RAT]

[Fish_Eye]

Now we get ready to fight them from taking ANY menhaden out of the bay until "best available science" establishes what a sustainable quota is...especially after the biologists produce the models for ecosystem wide management. If we don't play hardball they will be taking this to court and crying that it's too strict.

[spence]

Of course, it's not like there's any precident to politics tainting scientific research



-spence

[Mr. Sandman]

I don't think it is that strict and they are not giving up anything. I think 131 metric tons is what they are taking now Holding at that level is not doing us any favor.

Shut it down for 5 years, then re-evaluate the situation. That is hardball.

The Northeast has not seen a decent bunker run in decades. There is plenty of evidence to support that.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

I don't think it is that strict and they are not giving up anything. I think 131 metric tons is what they are taking now Holding at that level is not doing us any favor.

Shut it down for 5 years, then re-evaluate the situation. That is hardball.

The Northeast has not seen a decent bunker run in decades. There is plenty of evidence to support that.

That would be hardball. But if they are being overexploited right now, how does capping at the average of the past five years seem like a good management practice?

Everyone - I can see a big fight looming for menhaden in Narr Bay. Anyone want informally nominate a couple people to help become a public face for S-B on this issue? I would like a couple nominations / volunteers.

Thanks,

John

[Fish_Eye]

I agree with you Sandman 100%. I went on record (representing myself and the RFA) at the RI meeting saying forget the cap, stop the fishing effort in ALL inshore waters...the same for the Chesapeake as current laws in place for NJ, NY and CT waters. RI does not allow any fishing for menhaden for the purpose of rendering. RISAA also spoke in favor of keeping Omega Protein out of the Chesapeake and forget just capping them.

This is a shallow victory but only a starting point for more stringent regulations.

Now let's make it happen.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by JohnR

That would be hardball. But if they are being overexploited right now, how does capping at the average of the past five years seem like a good management practice?

Everyone - I can see a big fight looming for menhaden in Narr Bay. Anyone want informally nominate a couple people to help become a public face for S-B on this issue? I would like a couple nominations / volunteers.

Thanks,

John

I'll be glad to help out if we have our meetings at the usual place.