STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE MENHADEN FISHERY

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley issued the following statement on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission actions to protect the menhaden fishery:

“All of us in Maryland commend the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which today took historic action to reduce fishing pressure on menhaden. The new, more conservative fishing threshold and target are significant steps in ensuring a sustainable future for menhaden, an essential food source for striped bass, bluefish, dolphins, osprey and bald eagles and other fish and wildlife species.

“I want to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the 14 member states – my co-Governors, their Commission representatives and their many stakeholders – for standing by Maryland on this critical issue. I also want to publicly acknowledge the dedication of Maryland’s fishery managers, who for the past four years have worked tirelessly with their counterparts up and down the Atlantic seaboard to protect what has been called the most important fish in the sea.”