CCA and menhaden

[cobiaman]

Was at Green Top Sporting Goods on Monday the 15th. Started a conversation about the menhaden and soon about 7 or 8 people joined in. Since we were at the striper bait racks most of the participants were striper fishers. Some facts of the conversation:
1. Majority knew of the menhaden plight from articles in newspapers and internet from fishing groups.
2. Majority believe something needs to be done.
3. Majority knew of the oyster and blue crab issues.
4. Majority did not know of what the CCA-VA was trying to do. I
found this hard to believe. Only one was a CCA member
besides myself.
5. Tried to recruit any of the fishers to the CCA, some may join.

Some thoughts: I have realized the work of the CCA-VA must be communicated better. The crowd gave some great ideas, some need exploring. Even if the CCA-VA gets legislation of control of menhaden to the VMRC, Much more important work needs to pursued. Most knew of Omegas' new plant and feel if the reduction fleet is forced to the ocean they will go. Most believe Omega will not shutdown. This is almost the only state that allows menhaden to be harvested. Besides it is only 30 more miles to the bay entrance. Some of the 200 jobs are actually part time people. Reedville is not going to shut down. All believe 220 million pounds of anything is a lot.

I believe more support is out there if the message can get to most fishers. This needs to happen.

[Matt]

BTT

[Jim Bright]

Fishing a CCA tournament soon...my first one.

Someone on this thread said that in most cases people who fish these tournaments would be fishing that day anyway. I agree.

I'll be fishing that day, tournament or no tournament, and I will keep 2 fish. So will my fishing buddy.

So instead of just killing my limit and taking them home to feed the family, why not pay to enter a tournament where a portion of the proceeds goes to CCA, I can meet some fellow members, and along the way I'll learn a little bit more about fishing the bay?

[Sea Gristle]

Good for you Jim. I hope you win. Thanks for supporting CCA.

[Deltaville C-Gal]

Here are the facts.....

http://www.ccavirginia.org/

CCA of Va. - Menhaden Position Paper

It is often thought that menhaden are a commercial
species of little value to the recreational fishery, other
than those caught for bait. Menhaden are primarily
harvested by the commercial industry for industrial-scale
fish meal and fish oil production, with a growing number
used as bait for various commercial fishery uses such as
crabs and lobsters.

CCA VA believes menhaden are also among the most
important species for recreational fishermen and the
overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. They are one of
the primary forage species for a variety of important
recreational species. In historic numbers, they played an
important role in filtering estuarine water. In short, they
are one of the key components of the estuarine food web.

Management now calls for maintaining an adequate
spawning stock biomass (SSB) and allowing harvest at a
mortality rate that will yield the most pounds. CCA VA
believes this approach, which has been used on nearly
every commercial species over the past 30 years, is
particularly flawed for menhaden. CCA VA believes
management should focus on maintaining a population
of menhaden that allows them to fulfill their important
roles as forage fish, filter feeder, as well as commercial
harvest.

Landing patterns clearly show a shift to the
menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. In the 1950s and
1960s the Chesapeake Bay accounted for about 10
percent of the coast-wide harvest, by the 1990s it
accounted for nearly 60 percent. The coast-wide harvest
of menhaden during those times averaged 581,000 tons
from 1955 to 1665 and 331,000 tons from 1990 to 2000.
Thus, even while coast-wide landings have decreased,
the percentage of fish taken from the Chesapeake Bay
has increased to more than 50 percent of the coast-wide
landings.

The spawning stock biomass of the menhaden
population has also dropped significantly. During the
last 10 years, it has fallen to about 30 percent of what it
was during the period from 1955 to 1965. In fact, the
present SSB target is approximately 33 percent of the
average SSB during the late 1950s. The current
management plan’s artificially low SSB has not set off
a “trigger” in the plan that would cause management
action.

CCA VA believes menhaden should not only have
sensible mortality and SSB thresholds, but also a
population threshold and target. CCA VA is concerned
that the removal rate from the Chesapeake Bay (75
percent of the entire coast-wide harvest in 2003) is too
high for menhaden to fulfill their role as a forage
species and filter feeder.

To ensure Menhaden are adequately managed for
these purposes, CCA VA is working on two fronts:

1) Virginia General Assembly – Through the
introduction of legislation, CCA VA is asking the
General Assembly to move menhaden management to
the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
Menhaden is the only species currently managed by
the legislature and this management structure is not
flexible enough to address management measures
handed down by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission (ASMFC) on a timely basis. Also, the
science-based management approach of the ASMFC
is better implemented through a professional agency.

2) ASMFC – CCA is asking the Menhaden
Management Board to do three things. First,
determine the biomass of menhaden in Chesapeake
Bay throughout the year and the biomass necessary
to serve their role as a primary forage species for
healthy populations of pisciverous species such as
striped bass, summer flounder, weakfish, bluefish,
etc. Second, determine the biomass of menhaden in
Chesapeake Bay necessary to serve their role as a
primary filter feeder. Third, determine an allowable
harvest of menhaden within the Chesapeake Bay and
other geographic regions.

CCA of Va. Deltaville Chapter President - Pete Covington

[Matt]

hey thats some good info.

not a word about the reedville economy. hmm

the spotted owl was an endangered species before govt would shut down logging

think about it

thanks

[stanleybros]

Another drive by with "facts." Got to love it!

[chefwrg]

you know what? That was well written......no extemist ranting, just a basic statement with the facts. Well done. Any argument or differing opinion should be written as thoughtful and fact filled as that one.

[Purdue1]

MENHADEN RESOURCE COUNCIL

News: For Immediate Release

October 25, 2004

SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP INDICATES MASSIVE CHESAPEAKE BAY
STRIPED BASS POPULATIONS MAY BE HARMING ATLANTIC MENHADEN AND FISHERY ECOSYSTEM

CHANTILLY, VA – Federal, state and academic fishery scientists recently convened a workshop arranged by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission intended to examine the ecological role of Atlantic menhaden, an important commercial- and prey- species, and improve the scientific understanding of its niche within the Chesapeake Bay.

The Commission workshop was designed to provide a forum for scientists to explore concerns about the status of menhaden populations within the Bay that have been principally raised by sport fishermen. While Commission scientists currently report that menhaden stocks are healthy and not overfished, some sport fishing advocacy groups believe that the health of predator fish species in the Bay – including striped bass, bluefish and weakfish – is threatened by the continued commercial harvest of their prey species, menhaden. For instance, these sport fishing enthusiasts suggest that several negative trends within striped bass populations, such as the occurrence of malnourished-appearing striped bass and skin lesions caused by mycobacteriosis, are the direct result of menhaden ‘shortages’ within the Bay.

By the conclusion of the three-day workshop, however, scientists determined that research conducted thus far has not indicated any link between the abundance of menhaden in the Bay and the incidence of mycobacteriosis in striped bass.

Furthermore, preliminary scientific models prepared by Commission scientists indicate that the increased occurrence of undernourished striped bass in the Bay may be the direct result of an overabundance of this species – not the result of concurrent, sustainable commercial menhaden harvests.

Because predator species like striped bass feed heavily on prey species such as menhaden, scientists have increasingly developed methods to estimate the cumulative effects on menhaden populations by predators. Based on these preliminary studies, scientists indicate that the consumption of juvenile menhaden by striped bass is significant. In fact, when compared to the number of these menhaden harvested by commercial menhaden fishermen, these studies estimate that striped bass conservatively consume an order of magnitude more menhaden than harvested by fishermen.

"It would appear that striped bass populations may have exceeded their natural carrying capacity within the Chesapeake Bay as early as the late 1990s," notes Niels Moore, marine scientist and graduate of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences. "Indeed, the striped bass stock, which has continued to grow despite reaching ‘fully recovered’ status in 1995, may have now ballooned to a disproportionate, and potentially unsustainable, size within the Bay."

Marine conservation organizations and others also assert that fishery regulators may need to reduce striped bass populations in order to preserve the Bay’s natural ecosystem. According to the Asbury Park Press, Jim Price of the Chesapeake Bay Ecological Foundation states, "We need to kill more of these fish," and adds, "I want to see the Bay get back into balance."

For its part, the menhaden industry supports additional science – conducted by an appropriate scientific institution – that would evaluate the Bay ecosystem including water quality, habitat degradation, and the relationships between predator and prey species.

"Naturally, the menhaden industry and our fishing families have a great stake in assuring the continued health of the menhaden resource," says Toby Gascon, a representative of Omega Protein which is the largest harvester of menhaden in the Bay. "Over the years, industry has assisted in promoting, expanding and continuing research of many facets of the fishery. We look forward to an improved understanding of the Bay ecosystem."

In the meantime, the scientists participating in the workshop determined that while some of the concerns raised by sport fishermen merit further scientific study, no new immediate menhaden fishing regulations are necessary.

"We are pleased that Workshop scientists concluded that no additional regulations on our already highly-regulated fishermen are needed," states Gascon. "As we move forward, we hope that fishery scientists and user groups can work together, in earnest, to identify appropriate scientific research which will address questions about the Bay’s ecology. This is the most appropriate course of action to take at this time to ensure the continued health of the Atlantic menhaden population."

# # #

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

[Purdue1]

News: For Immediate Release

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. ”

# # #

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

[stanleybros]

Need I say more?

[Purdue1]

The Facts



Menhaden Matter Report: A Critical Analysis

On October 25, 2004, a newly-formed group called Menhaden Matter released a report entitled 'Menhaden Matter - Proactive Conservation Measures Are Needed to Protect the Ecological Role of Atlantic Menhaden and the Chesapeake Bay'. While attempting to portray itself as a neutral, conservation-oriented effort, the Menhaden Matter group appears dominated by advocates of the sport fishing industry, who have tried, in vain, for years to eliminate the commercial menhaden fishery from the Bay.

These fanatical big game angler organizations appear willing to go to any lengths of deception and defamation in their attempts to expand the sportfishing industry at the expense of the centuries-old, sustainable harvest of menhaden. In contrast, we believe that the legitimate, government-produced, scientific record speaks for itself, and clearly indicates that the Menhaden Matter report is misleading and factually incorrect.

The multitude of federal, state, and university fishery scientists and regulators responsible for ensuring the continued health of the menhaden resource indicate that menhaden stocks are healthy, not overfished and require no additional regulations of fishing harvests.

Nonetheless, the following is a critical analysis and correction of some of the more egregious statements contained in the Menhaden Matter report.

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"The Menhaden Matter effort wants to be clear. It is not looking to shut down the industrial menhaden industry. To the contrary, it believes that proactive management of menhaden now will improve the future health of the industry and the Chesapeake Bay."

Reality:

The Menhaden Matter group is comprised of four organizations: the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC), Environmental Defense (ED), and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Two of these groups -- CCA and NCMC -- appear to be thinly-veiled lobbyist groups for the sportfishing industry. Their record of anti-commercial fishing efforts is evident. It would appear that the remaining two groups -- ED and CBF -- have unfortunately adopted an anti-science, and anti-commercial fishing stance, as well.

The record of past anti-fishing efforts by these Menhaden Matter advocates clearly demonstrates that they have repeatedly campaigned -- unsuccessfully -- to eliminate the menhaden fishery in the Chesapeake Bay over the years.

According to the Coastal Conservation Association:

"A five-year moratorium on the harvest of menhaden for fishmeal and oil would have an immediate and quantifiable impact on water quality."

- Testimony of Sherman Bayard on behalf of the Coastal Conservation Association before the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans Committee on Resources United States House of Representatives.

"Coastal Conservation Association Virginia (CCA VA) applauds the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC) petition requesting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) prohibit all purse seine fishing for Atlantic menhaden within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries."

- Coastal Conservation Association Virginia, Press Release, September 2003.


According to the National Coalition for Marine Conservation:

"The National Coalition for Marine Conservation is reaching out to anglers from Maine to North Carolina with a petition to prohibit industrial-scale fishing for Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay."

- National Coalition for Marine Conservation, Press Release, June 2003

"We are calling on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to curtail industrial-scale fishing for Atlantic menhaden within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries."

- Ken Hindman, President of the National Coalition of Marine Conservation in a petition to the ASMFC Menhaden Management Board.


According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation:

"We can no longer afford the luxury of allowing the industrial-scale fishery to proceed."

- Bill Goldsborough, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Associated Press, October, 2004.
Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"Despite the critical role that menhaden play in the ocean food web, currently no conservation measures - including fishing limits - are in place to ensure that menhaden remain at healthy levels within the Chesapeake Bay, an ecosystem critical to the survival of fish and wildlife all along the Atlantic Coast."

Reality:

This statement is patently false. First, no large scale commercial menhaden fishing occurs in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, voiding the necessity for conservation measures. Second, in Virginia waters, the menhaden fishery is heavily regulated, and has been for decades. Specifically, Virginia Code establishes regulations that:

Limit the length of fishing seasons;
Prohibit fishing in vast portions of fishable areas of the Bay and its tributaries;
Establish a minimum net mesh requirement, intended to prevent the harvesting of juvenile fish; and
Establish licensing and permitting requirements.
Collectively, these state management measures ensure that menhaden are harvested in a sustainable manner. In the event that overfishing were to occur in the future, this event would trigger the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to enact additional fishing regulations to prevent its occurrence.

Furthermore, menhaden fishermen have adopted a number of voluntary measures to assist in the conservation of these fish and reduce the potential for user group conflicts on Bay waters. For example, fishermen do not harvest menhaden during weekends, when sport anglers and charter boat captains are most active. This voluntary measure, alone, accounts for a nearly 30% reduction in fishing effort by the menhaden fleet -- a fleet only comprised of a total of 10 vessels.

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"The population of young menhaden has been at an all-time low for more than a decade."

Reality:

This statement is patently false. While the population of age-0 and age-1 fish since 1995 has been below the historical average, the number of menhaden has never even reached the lowest number of menhaden recorded (in 1967) much less been at 'an all-time low' for more than a decade.

Source: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Report No. 04-01, February, 2004

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"The survival rate of striped bass in the bay has been declining due to natural causes."

Reality:

We agree that striped bass survival may be declining due to natural causes, which raises the question as to why the Menhaden Matter group is attempting to put menhaden fishermen out of business as a scapegoat.

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"Today, the only East Coast states that permit industrialized menhaden harvesting are Virginia and North Carolina."

Reality:

This statement is false. Seven East Coast states permit industrialized menhaden harvesting: Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Source: Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee Report, September 23, 2004

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"Recruitment failure - not enough young fish surviving to enter the population - has existed for over a decade."

Reality:

This statement is false. Scientists acknowledge that the amount of recruitment (young fish) has been below average in recent year. However, if recruitment 'failure' were actually occurring in the menhaden population for over a decade, it is highly likely that the menhaden would now be functionally extinct (menhaden are a short-lived specie and rarely reach the age of seven).

Furthermore, the Menhaden Matter group seems to suggest that menhaden fishing is somehow responsible for the weak recruitment during recent years. The best scientific evidence available does not support this contention.

First, in reality, menhaden fishermen do not target young, juvenile fish (less than 2 years in age) in the Bay. Second, the number of adult, breeding-sized menhaden in the wild is very healthy, and is more than adequate to produce large quantities of recruits into the population.

So, if fishermen aren't targeting these juvenile fish, and the breeding population of menhaden is very healthy, then why has recruitment been below average in recent years?

Studies by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission scientists suggest that predation by striped bass, bluefish and weakfish may be the problem. Moreover, consumption of juvenile (less than 2 years of age) menhaden by striped bass is enormous. Specifically, when compared to the number of menhaden harvested by the reduction industry, these studies indicate that striped bass consume an 'order of magnitude' more menhaden than harvested by fishermen!

From a regulatory perspective, if striped bass are the primary source of mortality of juvenile menhaden, it becomes apparent that any potential additional harvest restrictions on menhaden fishing are likely to have significantly less impact, if any, on the condition of the menhaden stock, in comparison to potential changes in the size and composition of the striped bass stock.

Of interest, scientific reports suggest that striped bass populations may have exceeded their natural carrying capacity within the Chesapeake Bay as early as the late 1990s. Indeed, the striped bass stock, which the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission determined as 'fully recovered' in 1995, has seemingly grown to a disproportionate, and potentially unsustainable, size within the Bay.

Sources: Uphoff, J.H., "Predator-Prey Analysis of Striped Bass and Atlantic Menhaden in Upper Chesapeake Bay"; Fisheries Management and Ecology, vol. 10, pp. 313-322, 2003; and Cieri, Matt, "Progress of Menhaden Multispecies Model: A Report of the Menhaden Multispecies Subcommittee to Atlantic Menhaden Management Board", 2002.

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"Fishing mortality may be underestimated and the stock declining at a faster rate than the stock assessment indicates, because the relationship of catchability to abundance is not significant in a purse-seine fishery for a pelagic schooling fish like menhaden."

Reality:

This assertion is based on a theory that was previously reviewed by the Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee for scientific merit and subsequently rejected in 2003. Hence, the Menhaden Matter assertion is false.

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"Abundance indices are lowest for Chesapeake Bay, particularly for juvenile fish, suggesting the possibility of localized depletion."

Reality:

As concluded by scientists at a recent Menhaden Workshop, the menhaden fishery management plan would have to contain a scientific reference point, which scientists are currently unable to formulate, to determine the possibility of 'localized depletion'. Moreover, these scientists did not recommend the necessity of any interim regulations in light of this fact.

Source: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Atlantic Menhaden Workshop Report (Draft), October, 2004.

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"Not surprisingly, fewer new fish joining the population, combined with a fishery that has no limits on the amount of menhaden it can catch, means overall abundance declines."

Reality:

This assertion is clearly speculative. A lack of concrete, allowable harvests does not equate to- or ensure- a decline in menhaden abundance - regardless of variations in recruitment. Furthermore, of course, regulators can alter any fishery management plans as deemed necessary to ensure the continued conservation of menhaden.

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"Fishery data from 2003, for example, indicate 90 percent of the menhaden were immature fish, caught before their third birthday. That means that nine out of ten fish taken by the fishery never live to reproduce and replenish the population."

Reality:

This statement is patently false. According to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission scientists, most Atlantic menhaden reach sexual maturity before reaching age three (age-2 fish). Not coincidentally, the majority (65%+) of commercial harvests are age-2 fish. Therefore, based on the authors' assertion that 90% of menhaden harvested were immature fish, they're asserting than zero age-2 fish reach sexual maturity - directly contradicting Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission scientists.

Source: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Report No. 04-01, February, 2004

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"However, the return of these birds could be threatened by a reduction in available prey...experts speculate that the sharp drop in the population of small menhaden is affecting fish-eating birds."

Reality:

The Menhaden Matter report references Dr. Paul Spitzer's works on this potential relationship. However, Dr. Spitzer's circulated a report at a recent Menhaden Workshop that states, "All five of these [bird]species are generally stable in number or increasing in the Atlantic Coast region. Their predation is very unlikely to have a significant effect on menhaden population size."

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"Simply put, striped bass and a number of other predators are competing with the industrial-scale menhaden fishery food, and they are losing the fight."

Reality:

This assertion is patently false. While it is true that large numbers of menhaden are currently harvested from the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastal waters, the vast majority of menhaden swimming in our marine waters are not harvested by commercial fishermen. Specifically, marine scientists estimate that for every 1 menhaden harvested by commercial fishermen annually, 510 fish are left in the water! Click here for a graphic illustration depicting this harvest compared to the overall menhaden population.

Source: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Report No. 04-01, February, 2004

Menhaden Matter Assertion:

"The ASMFC has begun a process to determine whether interim management measures should be taken to prevent what could be the ecologically harmful depletion of menhaden, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay."

Reality:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recently held a Menhaden Workshop to examine the ecological situation in the Bay as it relates to menhaden, and to directly address the concerns of sport anglers and other concerned stakeholders. One of the enumerate goals of this workshop was to develop recommendations for revised or new directions to the Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Management Plan to the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board. As evidenced by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission workshop report, scientists recommend no interim management measures be taken by fishery regulators at this time.

Source: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Atlantic Menhaden Workshop Report (Draft), October, 2004.

[stanleybros]

"Perdue" for President! I sure hope you are Republican!

[Norm Bartlett]

I did some inquiring about menhaden shortages in Maryland yestersay and appearently its true! I got this from a very reliable source that the chum dealers can't always get thier menhaden from Maryland netters so they get it from Reedville VA.. Anybody have anything to add to this!

Norm

[Ladyfish]

Norm,

I agree that menhaden in the Maryland portion of the main bay is down. With commercials sitting at the mouth of the bay scooping up boatloads herded by aircraft...the well will run dry.

Based on what I've read the off-shore menhaden population is healthy. As long as fuel costs are high and the government allows the commercial menhaden fishery to fish the mouth of the bay at current or greater than current levels, the menhaden will continue to decline within the bay.

I haven't seen any commercial buffalo hunters or passenger pigeon hunters lately...have you? Oh, I forgot, stripers are eating all the crabs...

[Capt. Mike Anderson]

The systematic killing of the buffalo was a well thought out plan to rid the US of a race of people and steal their land.

Could it be that the CCA leaders are blaming the declining menhaden schools in the bay on commercial catching to systematically eliminate a user group, when the real and largest culprit is overpopulation of a fragile bay area.

Perhaps a stone and a glass house should come into play!!
[sad]

[Norm Bartlett]

Capt Mike-Whats the real truth in this menhaden matter? Is it true that the pound netters can't supply the demand in Maryland for menhaden? What percentage of it goes where? Oviously the demand for crab pot bait is way down. Has the demand for chum increased? Is there a size limit on the pound nets mesh and if so what is it. Is there a season for catching menhaden in Maryland, if so what is it? Are any of the pound netters selling their licences because it ain't worth the effort. Is there any menhaden coming in from Florida, NJ, Texas or Louisiana. We know its coming in from Va.. You seem to be the most knowledgable comercial board member so whats the real scoop?

Norm

[Capt. Mike Anderson]

Norm

There are 8 crab potters in the marina where I keep my boat. Not one is using LY’s.

Call DNR, I’m sure they will be happy to answer all your questions. Maybe they will even tell you what part runoff from the Susky and the constant sewage spills play in the grand scheme of the bays problems.

[Digger]

Purdue1 originally wrote:
MENHADEN RESOURCE COUNCIL

News: For Immediate Release

October 25, 2004

SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP INDICATES MASSIVE CHESAPEAKE BAY
STRIPED BASS POPULATIONS MAY BE HARMING ATLANTIC MENHADEN AND FISHERY ECOSYSTEM

CHANTILLY, VA – Federal, state and academic fishery scientists recently convened a workshop arranged by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission intended to examine the ecological role of Atlantic menhaden, an important commercial- and prey- species, and improve the scientific understanding of its niche within the Chesapeake Bay.

The Commission workshop was designed to provide a forum for scientists to explore concerns about the status of menhaden populations within the Bay that have been principally raised by sport fishermen. While Commission scientists currently report that menhaden stocks are healthy and not overfished, some sport fishing advocacy groups believe that the health of predator fish species in the Bay – including striped bass, bluefish and weakfish – is threatened by the continued commercial harvest of their prey species, menhaden. For instance, these sport fishing enthusiasts suggest that several negative trends within striped bass populations, such as the occurrence of malnourished-appearing striped bass and skin lesions caused by mycobacteriosis, are the direct result of menhaden ‘shortages’ within the Bay.

By the conclusion of the three-day workshop, however, scientists determined that research conducted thus far has not indicated any link between the abundance of menhaden in the Bay and the incidence of mycobacteriosis in striped bass.

Furthermore, preliminary scientific models prepared by Commission scientists indicate that the increased occurrence of undernourished striped bass in the Bay may be the direct result of an overabundance of this species – not the result of concurrent, sustainable commercial menhaden harvests.

Because predator species like striped bass feed heavily on prey species such as menhaden, scientists have increasingly developed methods to estimate the cumulative effects on menhaden populations by predators. Based on these preliminary studies, scientists indicate that the consumption of juvenile menhaden by striped bass is significant. In fact, when compared to the number of these menhaden harvested by commercial menhaden fishermen, these studies estimate that striped bass conservatively consume an order of magnitude more menhaden than harvested by fishermen.

"It would appear that striped bass populations may have exceeded their natural carrying capacity within the Chesapeake Bay as early as the late 1990s," notes Niels Moore, marine scientist and graduate of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences. "Indeed, the striped bass stock, which has continued to grow despite reaching ‘fully recovered’ status in 1995, may have now ballooned to a disproportionate, and potentially unsustainable, size within the Bay."

Marine conservation organizations and others also assert that fishery regulators may need to reduce striped bass populations in order to preserve the Bay’s natural ecosystem. According to the Asbury Park Press, Jim Price of the Chesapeake Bay Ecological Foundation states, "We need to kill more of these fish," and adds, "I want to see the Bay get back into balance."

For its part, the menhaden industry supports additional science – conducted by an appropriate scientific institution – that would evaluate the Bay ecosystem including water quality, habitat degradation, and the relationships between predator and prey species.

"Naturally, the menhaden industry and our fishing families have a great stake in assuring the continued health of the menhaden resource," says Toby Gascon, a representative of Omega Protein which is the largest harvester of menhaden in the Bay. "Over the years, industry has assisted in promoting, expanding and continuing research of many facets of the fishery. We look forward to an improved understanding of the Bay ecosystem."

In the meantime, the scientists participating in the workshop determined that while some of the concerns raised by sport fishermen merit further scientific study, no new immediate menhaden fishing regulations are necessary.

"We are pleased that Workshop scientists concluded that no additional regulations on our already highly-regulated fishermen are needed," states Gascon. "As we move forward, we hope that fishery scientists and user groups can work together, in earnest, to identify appropriate scientific research which will address questions about the Bay’s ecology. This is the most appropriate course of action to take at this time to ensure the continued health of the Atlantic menhaden population."

# # #

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



OK lets look at this statement.

"It would appear that striped bass populations may have exceeded their natural carrying capacity within the Chesapeake Bay as early as the late 1990s," notes Niels Moore, marine scientist and graduate of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences.

Now I have a question does "natural carrying capacity winthin the Chesapeake Bay" include Commercial fishing? Natural does not include mechanized harvest (or farming) of anything.

[Norm Bartlett]

Capt. Mike-What are the potters using for bait?

Norm

[stanleybros]

Norm, here in Va., they are using menhaden. In March, the warehouses were so full of menhaden, the price dropped to less than 5 cents per pound.

One waterman told me, that he caught all of the crab bait he needed for the entire summer in 4 days.

The York River was full of menhaden.

Oh, one other thing he said.

He had 40 some sb tags he wanted to use up before they left the river. He stated, "There are so many baitfish in the river, a rock cannot find a hole to get into."

[Barefoot]

" "It would appear that striped bass populations may have exceeded their natural carrying capacity within the Chesapeake Bay as early as the late 1990s," notes Niels Moore, marine scientist and graduate of the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences."

Mr Moore needs to review history.

In the past, the Chesapeake has supported a large population of large summer resident striped bass.

Now it does not.

[Norm Bartlett]

Barefoot-Is it a lack of food , disease, or low dissolved oxygen? Check Eyes on the Bay for current DO figures which are very low, even below last year in some spots. Your comment was right on the money! Big fish up to 20 lb, were not unusual during the summer at one time.

Norm

[Capt. Mike Anderson]

Useta is a word used a lot. I useta fish Eastern Bay on a Sunday and never see another boat fishing all day. Of course that was 40 years ago. Is it less fish because of more fishermen?

[Capt Frank]

Barefoot
Those of us that fished the Bay in the 50s thru the 60s remember large breaking schools of stripers feeding on menhadden, esp north of the Bay Bridge. In fact I remember stopping in front of the Magothy mid summer as late as 1975 on several acres of mid sized stripers in the mid 20 size throwing atom poppers. That was very common and you could almost book it. If you find several acres of mid 20 sized stripers north of bridge nowadays, you probably just experienced an episode of the Twilight Zone or a time warp. The north bay is a really good barometer of the state of heath of stripers in the bay. Its been dwindling for many years. And Im sure Mike, Norm, and anyone else that knows will tell you the same story.
My theory is that there is no one factor but several, starting with a serious pollution problem spurred by an over population of people in Bay's watershed. Since the 50s the Bays watershed has experienced a huge increase in population. Nationwide, the Chesapeake Bay watershed also experienced the greatest change in population from 1980 to 2000, which grew by over two million people. People make pollution, lots of people make lots of pollution. Diseases, such as myco have not helped the problem. Lack of filter feeders, which the bay used for centuries to help clean the waterways have dissapeared. Mismanagement by agencies assigned to regulate fisheries has also created problems whether it be filter feeders, larger species, finfish, bivalves etc. Technology and overfishing either by Comml or Rec has created issues. I remember trolling by the Hill in the early 60s seeing maybe 20 boats all day. Now you see 20 times that figure easily, with 1,000 times better equipment to get the job done. And here's the kicker, we caught more fish, then with lousy flasher finders, and first generation trolling equip. Too many boats, noise creates lots of fishing issues. You only have to go no further then the Susqy Flats to see what too many boats does. I fished many times in the OC inlet in the mid 70s and that fishery now is nearly caput, probably due to too much fishing pressure, too many boats. The problems are many but the fix will be a lot more complicated. A really good start would be to get these filter feeds back. Those of us in the North Bay saw what a mussel looking specie could do in the rivers last summer, when the rivers were crystal clear. The only thing that I could see were these mussels, Norm said he saw the same thing. Thats a really good start. When the water clears, the O2 levels will rise, and that to me would be a great first step. Just my 2 pennies worth.

[Norm Bartlett]

Capt. Mike-I hear they are selling less fishing licences lately. The state is supposed to give it a boost with a contest. They are going to give out prize money for tagged fish.

Whats the secret crab bait razor clams with menhaden oil?

Norm

[Capt. Mike Anderson]

Norm

The menhaden oil I use is in a gel capsule. 1000mg daily.