Menhaden In The News

Read Menhaden Matter's latest press release below. You can also read all press releases or review news coverage about menhaden.

Recent Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2005

CONTACT:
John Bilotta — 301-351-0121
Todd Keller — 202-887-8835

Menhaden Matter Statement

On ASMFC Action to Cap Menhaden Catch in the Chesapeake Bay

The following is a statement from Menhaden Matter -- an alliance of recreational anglers and environmentalists, including Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, Environmental Defense and the National Coalition for Marine Conservation -- regarding [failure to ] the cap on the industrial harvesting of menhaden proposed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) at its February 9th meeting in Alexandria, Virginia.

We want to commend Governor Robert Ehrlich and his Department of Natural Resources for their leadership in securing today’s commitment by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to seek a cap on the industrial harvesting of Atlantic Menhaden.

By proposing this catch limit, the commission has taken an important first step toward protecting a principal filter feeder of the bay’s waters and prime food source for striped bass.

We look forward to working with Governor Ehrlich to ensure that this cap is formally implemented and to secure the financial resources necessary to ensure that menhaden and the bay are protected.

PRESS BRIEFING - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 AT 2:00 PM EST

Representatives from the environmental and recreational angling community who are part of the Menhaden Matter alliance will be available Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 PM for a post-meeting conference call.

Call in number: 800-247-5110
Passcode: 47246

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February Press Excerpts

Associated Press 2/9/05 - By Matthew Barakat
"Proposal to Cap Menhaden Catch in Chesapeake Advances"
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) -- A proposal to limit industrial fishing in the Chesapeake Bay of menhaden, a small fish that plays a big role in the bay's ecology and provides hundreds of jobs on Virginia's Northern Neck, moved forward Wednesday following a vote by an interstate commission.

Asbury Park Press 2/15/05 - By Asbury Park Press Staff
"Officials realizing importance of menhaden"
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Fisheries management officials are finally listening to scientists and anglers who have been telling them for years that menhaden are vital to the viability of the striped bass stocks. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has been taking slow and careful steps in response to demands for more stringent menhaden management measures. A few powerful commercial interests are fighting tighter regulations at every turn.

Baltimore Sun 2/10/05 - By Rona Kobell
"Multi-State Commission Takes Step Toward Limit on Menhaden Harvest"
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Government regulators took the first step yesterday toward imposing a limit on the commercial harvesting of menhaden, a tiny fish that is regarded as critical to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Meeting in Virginia, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to limit to current levels the number of menhaden taken from the bay.

Capital News Service 2/10/05 - By Kevin W. McCullough
"Fisheries Commission Board Recommends Limits on Menhaden"
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission took the first steps Wednesday toward setting a cap on the commercial harvest of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. The vote by the commission's menhaden board, which was pushed by Maryland officials, recommends capping the yearly menhaden catch at 110,000 metric tons, which is the average of the last five harvests.

The Capital (Annapolis) 2/10/05 - By Pamela Wood
"Agency votes to limit menhaden catch"
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Swayed by support from Maryland, a regional fisheries agency took the first step yesterday toward capping the harvest of menhaden, an oily feeder fish that plays an important ecological role in the Chesapeake Bay. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which manages fisheries along the East Coast, is expected to hold a series of public meetings this spring before taking a final vote on the limit this summer.

WUSA Channel 9 News (Washington, DC) - By Stacey Cohan
"Menhaden Mess"
Just a few weeks ago, the Governors of Maryland and Virginia launched a side-by-side fight for funding to save the Bay. Now, the states are feuding over a fish. It's called 'Purse Seine' fishing. These massive vessels are able to scoop up hundreds of tons of fish, thanks to helicopters that scope out the menhaden schools from above. It's a practice that's a bit too successful say environmentalists. So representatives from 15 states and the federal government sit around this table deciding just what to do about the Menhaden mess.