ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 6, 2010) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following Statement upon learning of yesterday’s action by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to review regulations and develop new strategies to protect menhaden:
“Menhaden is a vital species that provides food for striped bass and other fish and filters pollutants from the Chesapeake Bay. I applaud the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission unanimous action in recognizing the troubling signs of the population’s decline and calling for the development of new management strategies to protect this important fish. Here in Maryland it is our hope that the next step will be a significant reduction in coast-wide harvest.
“I want to congratulate the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Staff, who led this coastal effort to protect menhaden and who continue to deliver exceptional results through innovative strategies to protect our aquatic resources. I also want to recognize the hard work of our recreational fishermen and environmental organization in working with us to achieve this breakthrough.
“Today we celebrate the highest blue crab population since 1997 and a bold new plan to restore our native oyster and develop an aquaculture industry in Maryland. Protection of menhaden will ultimately add to these successes and bring us closer to our ultimate goal: a restored Chesapeake Bay and healthy, self-sustaining populations of fish for today and tomorrow.”
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
5 comments:
O'Malley, after only one year of new crab rules, don't claim that suddenly the population is back up. That'll take time. Quit bullshittin'
Mmmmmm a rise in rockfish population and a decrease in menhaden? Rockfish eat menhaden? Do I have to be Mr. Obvious? It always happens when you protect one species another declines.
3:09 a mind is a terrible thing to waste, actually all the rockfish are under weight for their age. If the government would ever reign in omega protein company in reedville virginia, that would stop the decline of menhaden in the bay. but since the company has made sure to have the right people on its board and as investors in the company, (read, G. Bush). they have been able to stop all laws dealing with their plundering of the bay. I always wondered how their rights to make a buck are allowed to trump our rights and future generations rights to enjoy the bay! Until enough heat is put on congress this will never change!
Yes there are always plunderers of a resource but one thing I do know is fishing and the bay. My mind is just fine and has not been corrupted by the disease called liberalism. There are cycles in the bay that aren't recognized by the DNR. When I was a kid the croakers and rock were everywhere then they took a back seat to the trout and big blues for about 8 years but today the croakers and rock are back but the grey trout and big blues are hardly seen now. Last year on occasions I witnessed menhaden being chased onto shore by rock fish. What a great thing to watch not to mention we had a great fishing day. I question their testing procedures. You want to know what is really happening talk to a real fisherman not a government agency.
the neighbor's rockfish was 50" this year,I dont know about light
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