Governor Kaine Announces Proposal to Cap Menhaden Harvests

Governor Kaine Announces Proposal to Cap Menhaden Harvests

- Fishery management plan for the Chesapeake Bay backed by Maryland, industry, environmental community -

First Landing State Park, VA - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced a proposal to set an annual cap on the harvest of menhaden from the Chesapeake Bay. The proposal is consistent with goals set in a recent fishery management plan adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), which will be asked to approve Virginia's proposal.

The Governor announced the proposed cap during an event at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. participated in the event via satellite from Sandy Point State Park in Maryland.

"Today, in Virginia, we again demonstrate that protecting Virginia's environment and supporting our economy can go hand in hand," said Governor Kaine. "I am pleased today to announce a menhaden management proposal that will protect the health of the menhaden fishery, foster additional scientific research, and protect fishery-related jobs."

The Governor's menhaden management proposal, which is supported by industry and leaders in the environmental community, establishes an annual cap on menhaden harvested from the Chesapeake Bay for industrial purposes of 109,020 metric tons. This represents the average annual harvest over the most recent five-year period, 2001 through 2005.

The proposal also includes a provision to allow a one-year "credit" to be granted for the year immediately following a fishing season when catches fall below the 109,020 metric-ton cap. For example, the 95,300 metric ton menhaden harvest in 2004 would result in a 13,720 metric-ton credit. Under the proposal, credits would be limited so that no harvest rises above 122,740 metric tons.

"When Governor Kaine and I met recently, we discussed our common goal to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, the important ecological role that menhaden play in the Bay, and the need for a proper management plan to keep the fishery healthy," said Governor Ehrlich. "We in Maryland have worked hard for two years to reach a balanced and sensible solution to the menhaden issue. I applaud Governor Kaine for putting forth a strong plan that benefits the long-term health of the Bay in both Maryland and Virginia."

The proposal also includes an agreement in principle between Virginia and Omega Protein to collaborate on critical menhaden-related research, and to seek additional federal funding to support that research.

"The collaborative work of industry and academia to produce research necessary to better understand this fishery, its health, and its importance to the Bay's ecology and economy will create an important resource for the future of the Bay," Governor Kaine said.

Representatives of Omega Protein Corporation, Inc., which employs more than 250 people at its Reedville, Virginia, plant, and Menhaden Matter, an umbrella organization for leading environmental groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Coastal Conservation Association, also joined Governor Kaine at the announcement.

Omega Protein Corporation offered the following statement in support of the Governor's proposal:

"Omega Protein supports Governor Kaine's proposal and looks forward to working with the Commonwealth on menhaden research issues. We clearly share a mutual goal to ensure both the sustainability of the vital, health-giving menhaden resource and hundreds of jobs in the Northern Neck of Virginia. We thank Governor Kaine and Secretary of Natural Resources Preston Bryant for their steadfast efforts to help resolve this difficult issue, as well as for their commitment to a clean and productive Chesapeake Bay."

Menhaden Matter joined Omega Protein in their support of the Governor's proposal, and offered the following statement:

"With his action today, Governor Kaine has charted a navigable course for implementing -- in real time -- the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission cap on the harvest of menhaden and ensuring the necessary research will be conducted to protect what many have called ‘the most important fish in the sea.' We commend the Governor for his leadership in recognizing the critical role that 60 years of interstate cooperation have played in protecting Virginia's marine resources, and the value that a healthy Chesapeake Bay brings to the state's economy and quality of life."

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/newsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=198