Virginia may be just as irresponsible as Maryland in managing the Chesapeake Bay
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The Maryland Oyster Debacle
Eight years ago, Maryland's fisheries management hit a low point. Under Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) avoided conducting a critical study on oyster populations, crucial for managing the species. Without knowing the numbers, managing them is like trying to manage money without knowing your balance.By April 2016, it had been around 130 years since scientists last accurately counted oysters. The DNR resisted the count due to pressure from oystermen. Everyone knew it might reveal overfishing.
Ultimately, legislation for an oyster "stock assessment" passed. The assessment showed overfishing, but not everywhere. Eight years later, Maryland's oystermen are doing okay and have built working relationships with scientists and environmental groups.
Virginia and the Menhaden Dilemma
Now, let's shift south to Virginia and focus on menhaden, an oily fish that filters plankton and serves as food for various predators, including striped bass.William K. Brooks, a Johns Hopkins scientist from the 1800s, once wrote, "All fish in the Bay are just menhaden in other form," highlighting the importance of menhaden.
Today, striped bass are struggling, not reproducing well, leading to controversial new catch limits. The blame often falls on overfishing menhaden, their crucial food source.
Omega Protein's Role
A major player in this issue is Canadian-owned Omega Protein in Reedville, VA. Their fleet catches menhaden by the hundreds of millions of pounds annually using "purse seines," nets that encircle large menhaden schools. Maryland bans such fishing.Omega processes menhaden into animal food products, oils, and feed for the farmed salmon of its parent company, Cooke, Inc.
The Need for Scientific Study
The solution seems obvious: Restrict Omega. However, Virginia has never studied menhaden abundance in the Chesapeake, similar to Maryland's past with oysters.Leading fisheries ecologist Rob Latour from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) says, "They could be overfished, but the fact is we don’t know."
Long-term studies indicate that several once-common fish species are avoiding the Chesapeake despite overall healthy numbers, possibly due to warmer waters driven by climate change.
Proposed Study and Legislative Hurdles
To address the knowledge gap, a proposal for a three-year, $2.7 million study emerged from a 2023 workshop with stakeholders including Omega Protein, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Maryland scientists. This proposal became HB 19 in the Virginia legislature.Omega pledged access to its private catch data if the bill passed, a treasure trove for scientists. However, the House Rules Committee dismissed the bill without proper consideration.
The Path Forward
The three-year study is essential, says Latour, "or we’re stuck where we are." Despite Omega's neutral stance on HB 19, there are rumors they opposed it behind the scenes.The bill will be reconsidered in 2025. Maryland could potentially step in to fund the study if Virginia won't, showing a proactive approach to managing the Bay's resources.
