Stop Industrial Menhaden Fishing in the Chesapeake Bay

Atlantic menhaden play a vital role in coastal ecosystems by serving as the base of the food chain for larger fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. Yet, millions of pounds of these valuable fish are being removed from the Chesapeake Bay and "reduced" into fish meal and oil for pet food and salmon feed by a single foreign-owned company.

Anglers: Sign our petition asking Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to protect the Chesapeake Bay and our fishing opportunities from the negative impacts of industrial menhaden fishing.

Photo courtesy of the Chesapeake Bay Program.

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Dear Governor Youngkin, 

As members of the recreational fishing community, we ask that you take necessary steps to protect the Chesapeake Bay from the risks of industrial menhaden fishing. Atlantic menhaden play a vital role in the Bay ecosystem by serving as the base of the food chain for larger fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. These small schooling fish are especially critical to striped bass, making up 30 percent of their diet.    

The detrimental impact of menhaden reduction fishing on the marine environment is so pronounced that it is outlawed in every other East Coast state. However, in Virginia, a single foreign-owned fishing company—Cooke Inc., locally known as Omega Protein—is still allowed to operate. This company harvests more than 100 million pounds of menhaden from the Bay each year, exporting these fish for use as pet food and salmon feed. Despite repeated signs of the negative impacts on the environment and small business owners, Virginia continues to allow this unsustainable practice. 

The latest science shows that reduction fishing for menhaden causes substantial declines in Atlantic striped bass, which are now considered “overfished.” At a time when anglers are being asked to make sacrifices to protect striped bass, menhaden reduction fishing should be moved out of the largest striped bass nursery on the East Coast.  

Governor Youngkin, I urge you to use your authority to move Omega Protein's boats out of the Bay until the science demonstrates that industrial menhaden fishing can be done without negatively affecting the broader Bay ecosystem. This action will help to protect recreational fishing, the marine food chain, and the coastal economy of the entire Chesapeake Bay region.  

Thank you for your consideration.