Southern Maryland Fishing Organization challenges allocation violations affecting Atlantic menhaden

During the recent Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the management of Atlantic menhaden, a vital fish species in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The president of the Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization, acting as a petitioner, highlighted serious allegations against the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission and the VMRC for their handling of fishery quotas.

The petitioner asserted that the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission is violating the Magnuson Stevens Act by allocating 75% of the Atlantic Coast's menhaden quota to Virginia. Furthermore, he claimed that the VMRC is breaching both federal and state laws by granting over 90% of its menhaden quota to Omega Protein, the last reduction fishery on the Atlantic Coast. This allocation reportedly constitutes more than two-thirds of the total allowable catch for the entire Atlantic Coast, raising alarms about the sustainability of the species.

The petitioner emphasized that these violations have resulted in localized depletion of Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay, a critical habitat for various marine life. He illustrated the impact of Omega Protein's harvesting practices, showing the deployment of their ships throughout the Chesapeake Bay, which could exacerbate the decline of this essential fish population.

The discussions at the VMRC meeting underscore the urgent need for reevaluation of fishery management practices to ensure the long-term health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and the fishing communities that depend on it. As stakeholders await further action, the implications of these allegations could lead to significant changes in how menhaden fisheries are regulated in Virginia and beyond.