January 29, 2013 — Delegates voted unanimously Monday to reduce the commercial catch of Atlantic menhaden in Virginia waters by 20 percent, mirroring similar action last week in the Senate.
The 98-0 vote aligns Virginia with other states along the Eastern seaboard in a historic coastwide management plan by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to help the floundering stock of menhaden rebuild.
Conservationists praised the action to protect a fish integral to the bay ecosystem and commercial fishery, but a spokesman for the only menhaden fishery left on the Atlantic said the move will cost about 25 jobs.
"It's obviously a success for Virginia," said Chris Moore, Hampton Roads senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "This is critical legislation that Virginia needed in order to get into compliance with this management plan, and it shows Virginia is going to remain a staunch partner in this process."
Better stock management will benefit the bay and the commonwealth ecologically and economically, he said.
But Ben Landry, spokesman at Omega Protein Inc., said a 20 percent cut means layoffs at its Reedville plant and the loss of one boat in its eight-vessel fishing fleet.
"The more that the fishery has to cut back, the more footing you lose on really continuing to be a sustainable business there," Landry said.
Omega employs 300 workers at its plant, which grinds and boils menhaden into animal meal, fertilizer and protein supplements. This year, the company marks a century of operation, and Landry said it remains a "viable business."
"The company's resilient," he said. "We've faced a bunch of challenges in our hundred years, and we'll continue as we move forward. We're hoping to make it a few more."
The little menhaden is generally too oily and bony for the human palate, but tasty to important marine predators ranging from crabs and striped bass to waterfowl and whales. It's also an important filter-feeder, helping to clean up waterways, including the bay.
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