June 5, 2015 — REEDVILLE— Gov. Terry McAuliffe traveled to the Omega Protein menhaden rendering plant Thursday to sign a proclamation officially raising this year’s catch limit by 10 percent.
The ceremony comes on the heels of last month’s decision by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to allow an increase in menhaden harvests along the Atlantic Coast after scientists reworked models and found a healthier stock than first determined.
Omega Protein, which employs about 300 workers from the Northern Neck, says it is bringing back the Reedville, making a total of eight ships in its fleet that fishes the Chesapeake Bay and the southern part of the Atlantic Coast.
Monty Deihl, vice president of Omega’s operations, said he has hired 16 fishermen and another eight people to work at the plant.
“That’s why I’m here today,” said McAuliffe. “An additional $7–8 million in annual revenues will now flow through this plant, which has been in operation for more than 100 years.”
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