Virginia Assembly establishes cap on menhaden harvest
A huge victory for a little fish
RICHMOND, VA – On February 19, 2007 Governor Tim Kaine signed into law House Bill 2082, introduced by Delegate Rob Whittman of the 99th District of the House of Delegates. CCA Virginia applauds Governor Tim Kaine and the Virginia General Assembly for this historic action establishing a cap on the commercial harvest of menhaden in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay. This legislative action brings the Commonwealth into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission mandate and helps ensure that the Bay remains a healthy estuary for many commercially as well as recreationally important fish such as striped bass and flounder.
“Too often we forget that the predator species recreational anglers cherish are completely dependent upon a healthy forage base, especially here in the Bay which is a primary nursery ground for so many species,” said John Bello, Chairman of the Board of Directors for CCA VA. “If we don’t begin properly managing the menhaden population of the Bay it may only be a matter of time before we see a negative impact on predator species such as striped bass, bluefish, weakfish and other species as well.”
The menhaden legislation includes provisions for important scientific research to determine optimal harvest levels for the long-term sustainability of the menhaden stocks in order to maintain balance in the Chesapeake Bay’s delicate ecosystem. CCA has long been an advocate of more conservative management of menhaden in the Bay, and is part of a cooperative effort known as Menhaden Matter to effect meaningful conservation measures for what is often called the most important fish in the sea.
“There are big issues facing these small fish,” said Dick Brame, CCA’s Atlantic States Fisheries Director. “The forage base is the fuel for species like striped bass, weakfish, bluefish, flounder, king mackerel, tuna, wahoo, marlin, and many others. They are not glamorous, but they are absolutely essential, and they are emerging as a serious source of concern along many parts of the coast.”
This legislative action in the Virginia Assembly would not have been possible without the leadership of Governor Tim Kaine and Secretary of Natural Resources Preston Bryant, who worked diligently to develop a solution acceptable to all interested parties. CCA Virginia commends Gov. Kaine’s team for recognizing this fisheries’ importance to the Chesapeake Bay’s watershed and its marine resources.
“Getting this harvest cap in place was a long, difficult process that very well might have foundered without strong leadership from Gov. Kaine and his administration,” said David Nobles, President of CCA VA. “We are now set to gather the science that will tell us if the menhaden population in the Bay is healthy enough to sustain the sport fish populations we are fighting so hard to restore, to sustain the commercial fisheries that rely on this fish and to be able to perform the water filtration ability that the menhaden have. This issue is not over yet.”
CCA Virginia will be increasingly focused on forage fish management in the coming years, pushing for forage fish fishery management plans based on sufficient scientific data; and for better data where there is none.
“The foundation of a healthy marine environment is built on species like menhaden,” said Larry Snider, Vice President CCA VA. “More forage fish means a stronger, healthier population of sport fish…” |