March
23, 2004
SCIENTISTS REJECT SPORT ANGLERS SEEKING MENHADEN FISHING BAN
IN BAY
CHANTILLY,
VA – In a boost to conservative fisheries
management based on science, marine scientists
rejected two petitions introduced by a group
of Virginia sport anglers at a recent board
meeting of interstate fishery regulators.
One of these petitions aimed to ban all
modern fishing for the small, herring-like Atlantic
menhaden – commonly called “bunker” – in the
Chesapeake Bay, and would have needlessly eliminated
one of the oldest commercial fisheries in existence
in the United States.
A
migratory fish, menhaden populations are managed
through the interstate organization known as
the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
(“ASMFC”). Under the auspices of this commission, menhaden
populations have been tightly regulated, monitored
and managed for decades to ensure that the fishery
remains sustainable indefinitely.
Most
importantly, according to fishery scientists,
menhaden populations are currently in a “healthy”
condition, and overfishing is not occurring.
Despite
the good health of the resource, a small group
of sport fishing enthusiasts from Northern Virginia
called the National Coalition for Marine Conservation
(“NCMC”) have lobbied to ban the commercial
harvest of menhaden in Virginia’s Bay waters
– raising eyebrows of marine scientists.
In
December, the sport fishermen submitted a petition
to the ASMFC that would have enacted a ban on
all modern menhaden fishing in the Bay.
Additionally, the NCMC proposed an amendment
to the fishery management plan that governs
the resource.
Based upon its review of the sport anglers’
recommendations, however, state and federal
scientists deemed that the amendment was unwarranted. Since the ASMFC meeting, the NCMC has apparently
withdrawn its original proposal to ban fishing
in the Bay.
According
to Niels Moore, a marine scientist and graduate
of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences,
“The NCMC petition to ban menhaden fishing held
no scientific merits. It’s introduction at a time when the menhaden
resource remains healthy and well-managed raised
obvious questions about the motives of these
sport anglers.
Clearly, the intent of the petition was
unrelated to resource conservation.”
Aside
from supporting a commercial fishery, menhaden
populations also serve as a prey species for
larger predators such as Striped Bass – commonly
referred to as “stripers”.
Striper populations have blossomed in
recent years to levels not measured in recorded
history, resulting in additional pressure on
prey species including menhaden. In response, a minority of sport fishermen
have proposed curtailing, or in the instance
of the NCMC petition, eliminating the commercial
fishery for menhaden altogether. Such proposals, though, are not supported by science.
“The
vast majority of menhaden consumed by stripers
are small, juvenile fish. In contrast, menhaden fishermen harvest mostly
larger, adult fish,” says Mr. Moore.
“It’s a ‘win-win’ situation for striped
bass anglers, menhaden fishermen, and seafood
consumers, alike.
Hopefully, the withdrawal of the NCMC
petition will usher more reasonable discussion
between user groups about the role of menhaden
in the Chesapeake Bay. ”
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Menhaden
fishing and its harvests have supported the
Virginia economy since the late 1800’s.
The menhaden industry has been the largest employer
in the “Northern Neck” since 1913, and is even
furthering expansion this year with the construction
of a new $17 million processing facility to
produce food grade omega-3 oil for enhancing
the health of humans and animals.
The
Menhaden Resource Council is an educational
and informational organization supported by
the menhaden industry. For more information
on the menhaden resource please visit the MRC
Web site at www.menhaden.org
