What a disappointment to read two inaccurate and offensive editorials denouncing actions of legislators on the issue of the menhaden fishery ('Menhaden industry succeeds again,' Feb. 1, and 'The most important fish in Richmond,' Feb. 24).
The menhaden fishery operates under the auspices of and is managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a federal agency composed of representatives of coastal states from Maine to Florida (including Pennsylvania). The commission has employed a number of data and research methods to evaluate the sustainability of the fishery without achieving adequate information from which to determine appropriate catch limits; hence, the continuing controversy.
In conversations with scientists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and fisheries experts at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, I am advised that what is needed is a fishery-independent survey method to determine annual estimates of the menhaden population, including both juveniles and adults. Pound net surveys in the Potomac River are currently used and provide only limited data.
Read the complete opinion piece from The Pilot Online.