Save the Menhaden!

[TomFly]

If you fish the bay for Stripers you may be interested in this campaign to pass new laws aimed at preserving their favorite snack the Menhaden (bunker). Currently Menhaden are being over fished.  I don't want to get all political here or try to sway people's opinion.  If you are up on the issue of Menhaden overfishing or are inclined to investigate it and think that there should be tighter regulations on the commercial fishery here is a good way to contribute to that effort.

It takes 30 seconds to submit this form letter voicing your support.  Here is the link:
http://www.capwiz.com/cbf/issues/alert/?alertid=61912101#.UKOf_hQlHoY.facebook

Has to be submitted by 11-16-12

Thanks,
Tom

[Ernie]

Thanks for posting this Tom.

As well, Chris Moore who is a Sr. Scientist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Hampton Roads, VA will be presenting his talk on  “Charting a New Course for Menhaden Management” at the NoVA CCA meeting tonight at the Grace Presbyterian Church, 2381 Cedar Lane, Vienna, VA from 7:00 to 9:00. 

The meeting is Open to the Public.

The timing of this presentation is very good considering the current discussions taking place with the ASMFC regarding menhaden management.

Chris leads policy development and technical support for a variety of Chesapeake Bay water quality and fisheries restoration efforts. His water quality work involves a wide range of activities from on-the-ground restoration to working with elected officials through all levels of government to ensure legislative decisions that ensure enhancement of the Bay watershed. Mr. Moore also works to build sustainable fisheries issues through oyster restoration efforts and proactive management of important Bay fisheries such as blue crab and Atlantic menhaden. He is also a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain and runs educational and restoration boat trips for volunteers, media, elected officials, and decision makers. cmo...@cbf.org

 

[Charlie Church]

Everyone should take the time to sign this. This is a very important issue facing the bay right now.

Having fished for rocks from 1998 - present down there, it is noticeably getting worse each year and although this isn't the only thing that would help the fishery, it would be huge (and where the hell did the Weakfish go?!?!?!!?)

[TurbineBlade]

Okay, signed it!

Gene

[HeaveToo]

I agree with this.  I grew up and my first job was a first mate on a charter boat.  Fishing had declined then, in the early 90s, from what it was and it has declined some since then.  We need to do something to save the bay.  If the Menhaden management practices are continued it will spell huge ecological issues for the bay.

You can't continue to harvest high harvests when the population isn't there to sustain it.  If the Menhaden are gone then the sport fishing will follow closely behind.

[Miles]

I signed it. I almost missed that the comments period closes TOMORROW.

--Miles

[Matthew Longley]

Signed.

Funny, I'd never heard of Menhaden, but I looked it up and its the same as Bunker.  I never realized there was such regional variation to fish naming.  If you pulled a striped bass out of the Kennebec and said "thats a wicked rockfish" folks would look at you like you were crazy.

[Charlie Church]

Haha, yea...

Menhaden - Bunker
Striper = Rocks
Reds = Red Drum, Channel Bass, Puppy Drum
Spotted Seatrout (it hurts to even call them that) - Speckled Trout

The list goes on. I used to get some weird looks from friends in Florida when I referred to specks or Red Drum.

[TomFly]

Thanks to everyone who signed this!  Lets hope it helps.