A bill that would allow Virginia’s menhaden fishery to return to compliance took its first step in the state legislature on Wednesday, 29 January.
By a 15-7 vote, the House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee passed HB1448. The bill calls for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) to establish rules to manage the menhaden fishery in accordance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) management plan for the species.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it would enact a moratorium on the Virginia fishery after the ASMFC found the state’s fishery to be out of compliance in late October. That vote came on the heels of Omega Protein, which is the primary harvester in the Chesapeake Bay, announcing it would exceed its annual quota in the Bay.
However, that moratorium is not set to begin until June, as federal officials said they wanted to give the state time to take measures that would allow the fishery to regain compliance.
The catch limit of 51,000 metric tons (MT) has been a point of contention for Omega Protein, which is based in Reedville, Virginia. The company has continued to assert that the cap is an artificial limit that is not based on scientific data.
The company also operates a processing plant in Reedville, taking the menhaden and producing fish oils, additives, and nutraceuticals.
While the commission had established a reduced Chesapeake Bay catch-limit in 2018 as part of its overall 216,000 MT limit for the entire ASMFC jurisdiction area, the Virginia legislature never codified the new limit, which is down from 87,000 MT. This legislation would cover that drop in quota.
In a statement, Omega Protein Director of Public Affairs Ben Landry said the legislation is in the best interest of the company and the local industry.
"Being in compliance with the ASMFC management plan and avoiding a potential moratorium on the fishery is in the best interest of the hundreds of Omega Protein employees and management team members in Reedville, as well as the many more Virginians throughout the commonwealth who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.” he said. “Omega Protein looks forward to working with the staff and commissioners at the VMRC to ensure that the menhaden fishery continues to be sustainable and productive.”
Photo courtesy of Omega Protein
