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Dr. James Kirkley gave a report on the menhaden study at the VMRC meeting scheduled on August 28, 2007. The following is some information about the study. If you would like more information visit the website mentioned in the information. The Commonwealth of Virginia is supporting a multi-year, comprehensive study of the Atlantic Menhaden fishery and its importance to the social and economic welfare of the peoples living within the Chesapeake region. The study will be conducted by researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, beginning this summer. The Atlantic Menhaden study anticipates future needs of the Commonwealth for information required for (1) comprehensive ecosystem management approaches in the fishery, (2) the development of a Fisheries Ecosystem Plan (FEP) for the Chesapeake Bay, and (3) assessments of the social and economic impacts of various regulatory approaches on communities in Virginia and Maryland. An important element of items 1 and 2 is the determination of ecosystem services provided by menhaden populations and their social and economic value to individuals and communities in the Chesapeake Bay region. We are currently in the early phases of our work, and seek information, input and comment from the various stakeholder interests in the region in order to assist us in the project assessments. Your participation is important in these early phases, and you may be asked to participate in stakeholder meetings during the later phases of the study. In order to share information and facilitate your contact and inputs to the project, we have established an interactive Internet web site on OpenWiki at: Atlantic Menhaden Study - WritingWiki This site is open to anyone without registration. However, if you wish to post comments, receive notice of additions and changes, and participate in the on-line discussion of interim results and project progress, you should register. Instructions for registration are given in the opening section of the site. A brief guide to using OpenWiki is attached to this letter. Currently, information on the project and the project proposal, including contact information, is available on the site. We have also added links to general information and resources on Atlantic Menhaden. We will continue to add resources as the project progresses and hope you find them useful. In the introductory section you will find a link to a brief survey that is intended to provide basic information on stakeholders. Your participation is voluntary, but we hope you will take the time to complete and submit the survey. Your participation is important, and thank you in advance for your interest in The Atlantic Menhaden Study. You may also comment on the scope and nature of the study via phone contact (Jim Kirkley-804-684-7160; Winnie Ryan-804-684-7938; or Dennis Taylor-804-684-7005); regular e-mail: jkirkley@vims.edu; winnie@vims.edu; or dtaylor@vims.edu; or regular mail: Winnie Ryan, College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 1208 Greate Road, Gloucester Pt., VA 23062. You can obtain a paper copy of the research proposal by requesting one from any of the three previously identified individuals. CCA’s mission is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. The objective of CCA is to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public. |
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