The menhaden board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recently voted to reduce the annual harvest of menhaden by as much as 37%, possibly leading to reductions in the operations of Omega Protein Inc. in Reedville.
There are 15 states that belong to the ASMFC and each state has one vote. The commission held 13 public hearings on menhaden and received nearly 92,000 comments, the majority of which were in favor of a smaller harvest to avoid overfishing and increase abundance and spawning stock biomass.
Research from the 2010 stock assessment showed that menhaden were overfished in 32 of the past 54 years, although only once in the past decade.
“I’m disappointed that the fishery managers ignored the science and listened to the more radical advocacy groups,” said Omega director of public affairs Ben Landry.
A hearing held at Northumberland High School a month ago did not reflect the opinion of the majority. Out of the approximately 31 who spoke at the hearing, most comments regarded the impact of regulations on Omega Protein in Reedville, the last remaining reduction plant on the Atlantic Coast.
Omega processes about 80% of the Atlantic menhaden catch and employs approximately 300 people, making the plant one of the region’s largest employers.
Landry said it’s way too early to say with any clarity how the vote will impact Omega.
“Traditionally, the target reduction rate has just been an aspiration. We don’t know to what degree we will have to fish within. We don’t know whether there will be quotas or limited fishing seasons,” said Landry. “There’s certainly going to be some operational adjustments, but we’re going to prevent and minimalize any job loss as much as possible.”
Read the full story at the Rappahannock Record.