by Larry Chowning
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has scheduled public hearings to gather input on a draft addendum to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden.
Draft Addendum II to Amendment 3 considers options to reduce the Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap (bay cap) by up to 50% and distribute the cap more evenly throughout the fishing season. The current harvest cap for industrial fishing inside the bay is 51,000 metric tons annually.
ASMFC officials indicated the options aim to alleviate a concentration of effort that may be affecting other fisheries within the bay and other potential ecological impacts. The options are aimed at Omega Protein and Ocean Harvesters of Reedville, the only reduction fishery firms on….
