Virginia’s defenders insist on a study by Chesapeake Menhaden – Wydaily

Richmond – a critical species of fish in the Bay of Chesapike, the Atlantic Menhaden, can reduce quickly.

Or its number can increase.

There is no data on the population of Atlantic Menhaden, and fishing and conservation groups say this is the problem.

A bill at the General Assembly of Virginia seems to shed light on the populations of Menhaden in Chesapik.

Steve Atkinson, chairman of the Virginia Sports Sport Fishing Association, Salt Water said that the Atlantic Menhaden is a major type and can be overcome in Chesapike.

“They are extremely important as forage fish because they feed fish, like our iconic striped bass, blue fish and trout,” Atkinson explained. “But they also feed mammals, as well as seabirds, like our iconic Osprey. For years, there has been concern that they are overcome in the Bay of Chesapik. “

The bill will provide $ 3 million to study the population of Menhaden in Chesapik Bay. The Virginia Marine Science Institute has developed a study, but Atkinson noted that the study of the study is elusive.

Tyler Nonn, owner and operator of Tidewater Charters, every day fishing for people in the bay. He said his business relies on the population of the healthy oceans in Menhaden. He pointed out that there were times, even the best commercial fishermen were not able to catch adult dumbed.

“Even these guys have problems getting them,” Nonn noted. “The consistency is not available. You know, we will have a few years where it will be fine. Many of this are related to environmental factors, but the removal of hundreds of thousands of pounds of them from the bay does not help the cause. “

Studies show that about 30% of the striped bass diet is the Atlantic Menhaden.

Atkinson emphasized that often their intercession is facing circular reflections when if there is no evidence to shrink the population of Menhaden, why financing a study? But he claims that the health of the species is worth checking.

“When we raise these problems, the industry usually returns and their comment is the same, which is:” There is no science to support your concern, “Atkinson noted. “We need to get additional science to show them once and for all whether there is a problem with a dummy in the bay.”

The Atlantic Menhaden is not considered exaggerated throughout the Atlantic coast, but local exhaustion may threaten the populations of Chesapiq Bay.