July 7, 2022 โ The following is an excerpt of an op-ed by Ken Pinkard, a 38-year, third-generation menhaden fisherman in Virginiaโs Northern Neck region. It was published yesterday by the Daily Press and the Virginian-Pilot.
The Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Associationโs Mike Avery inaccurately claims that the Chesapeake Bayโs menhaden fishery is hurting striped bass (โAdvocates call for limits of menhaden fishing in Virginiaโ). In reality, menhaden fishing is not only sustainable, itโs a critical economic engine for Virginiaโs Northern Neck.
For decades, menhaden fishermen have worked in the Chesapeake Bay alongside crabbers, oystermen and other watermen. The menhaden fishery is currently the largest employer of minority and union workers in rural Northumberland County, and Virginia will not attract โgood-payingโ jobs by destroying it. The proposals Avery promotes would have a devastating impact on hardworking Virginians whose families rely on the fishery for their livelihoods.
The economy of the Northern Neck depends on Omega Protein and affiliated companies, just as Detroit depends on GM and Ford. Omega Protein and its fishing partners offer the highest blue-collar wages with the most generous benefits in the Northern Neck. These are union jobs. Every worker has a voice. Some 98% of our Reedville-based employees live in Virginia and 90% live in the Northern Neck.