I support Petition 394 to reduce and or eliminate the unregulated wastewater discharge from industrial menhaden vessels into Virginia waters.
Despite the wastewater discharge from the industrial menhaden reduction industry's factory in Reedville being regulated and permitted, the daily discharge from the menhaden fishing vessels vacuum pump water, is not. This wastewater contains contaminants including nitrogen, phosphorous, and suspended solids like feces and fish scales that is dumped overboard daily.
Permitting regulations are needed now to limit and/or eliminate the wastewater discharge from menhaden fishing vessels in Virginia and stop this contamination from the industrial menhaden fishery from polluting Virginia waters.