by Jim Hendrickson and David Cariens
The lower Northern Neck’s economy is about to suffer a near-mortal economic blow unless action is taken quickly. Pending Virginia House of Delegates legislation, House Bill 1048 and House Bill 1049, would prohibit or limit menhaden fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Local business Omega Protein is the only operation targeted by these bills.
If either bill passes, the region’s largest private employer will close and move to its other facilities in Louisiana. The move would be calamitous to our counties. A company that has been an integral part of the Northern Neck’s civic and economic lives for over 150 years would be gone. And for what? Because of falsehoods and distortions of the facts.
The warning signs are flashing, yet no local politician or leader is speaking out. The silence is defeating. No local, state, or federal official appears willing to expose the misconceptions and distortions about the menhaden industry.
Their failure is nothing less than a betrayal of people who elected them and the continued political neglect of this area.
The bills
The foundation of HB1048 and HB1049, sponsored by Del. Betsy Carr, of District 78, rests on quicksand. Del. Carr apparently did not do her homework. There is no credible science pointing to menhaden fishing causing harm to the Chesapeake Bay, striped bass, or osprey.
We are both strong environmentalists. We take our stand on menhaden fishing and Omega Protein based on facts, current scientific studies, and rebut the anecdotal falsehoods that will result in economic catastrophe.
Let’s look at the evidence and facts:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Stock Assessment (ASMFC) Updated 2025 reported, “the Atlantic menhaden population is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring.”
The Bay Trawl Survey Data, October 15, 2025, stated, “The Atlantic menhaden and Bay anchovies were widespread for the third consecutive year.”
Omega Protein is harvesting menhaden at the lowest levels in nearly 100 years. The truth is Atlantic menhaden adult biomass has been on the upward trend since the 1990s. There is no other single entity that cares more about a healthy menhaden population or a healthy bay than Omega Protein; without a healthy fishery they cannot operate and remain in business.
The osprey
The misconceptions about ospreys appear to know no bounds. Contrary to public opinion, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the number of osprey in the Chesapeake Bay were up 1800% from the 1960s to 2022.
There was a 5-8% decrease in the last few years due to nest/baby chick failures. Similar declines in osprey population are occurring on the West Coast and along the coastal areas of five states ranging from Delaware to Florida. The slight decline in osprey population, then, is not just a Chesapeake phenomenon, it is widespread. The reason for the decline is not unique to the Chesapeake Bay; it is something widespread.
Omega does not operate on the West Coast or Florida. Osprey in these locations do not hunt for prey here.
If not Omega, what is causing their decline?
Scientists speculate the osprey chick and nest failures are caused by one or more of the following: competition from an influx of pelicans and cormorants; eagles attacking osprey nests; excessive heat on the chicks; and environmental contaminants.
If Omega Protein is not the culprit and there is no depletion of menhaden, why then is no one speaking up to correct misconceptions about the company’s activities? Why are Northern Neck leaders and politicians not screaming about the economic havoc Omega’s closing would cause?
Who and what will replace Omega, the area’s largest public employer? Is there a plan?
The history
Omega has been a part of the region’s history for 150 years. The company’s policies and values represent the best of the Northern Neck. It supports the region in a variety of ways.
The company’s civic support is second to none. For example, Omega Protein donated half a million dollars to the youth club in Kilmarnock and just donated the scoreboard for the gym at Northumberland High School.
Omega Protein has 260 employees and creates an additional 390 indirect, support jobs and contract work. With $300 million in sales, and generating $100 million in economic activity, Omega Protein is the largest private economic engine, employer and minority employer in the area.
The company’s payroll is $29 million a year. Who or what is going to replace that? The loss in tax revenue to Northumberland and Lancaster counties would be devastating.
What’s at stake?
Northumberland County local tax revenue is approximately $31 million per published 2025–2026 budgets. Research suggests Omega business activity contributes 14%, or $4.3 million of that tax. Millions more Omega-originated dollars flow into the local economy through payroll taxes, property taxes, sales tax, and Omega employees’ car taxes—to name a few.
Without that money, there will be drastic cuts in services in both Lancaster and Northumberland counties while necessitating tax rate increases. Our counties themselves are the only other large employers in the area and depend on Omega tax generating activities to operate and pay county employees.
Quality of life
Omega improves the quality of life for its employees and for those who benefit from the money it pours into our economy. Omega is a union shop and pays its employees’ dues and health insurance. The company has a “buy locally” philosophy. All business support and sustainment supplies are purchased locally further injecting millions into the regional economy. These purchases help keep local vendors viable and create jobs.
The company has an employee development program second to none, providing 90% college reimbursement. It pays for employees’ commercial pilot licensing, as well as Coast Guard Captain, Navigator, and Engineer licenses. It also provides employee on-the-job training in fields such as welding and other career trades.
What to do?
To prevent the devastating loss of Omega Protein—a crippling blow to the Northern Neck’s economy—please contact Del. Hillary Pugh Kent, 698-1067; Del. Betsy Carr, 698-1078; and Sen. Richard Sturt, 698-7525. Tell them to support the people of the Northern Neck, their constituents and stop HB1048 and HB1049.
Jim Hendrickson of Northumberland County and David Cariens of Lancaster County, are both frequent contributors of letters to the editor appearing in the Rappahannock Record.
