We are allowing commercial companies to decimate osprey populations by overharvesting menhaden, particularly close to the coast.   These companies should be fishing in the ocean, not the Chesapeake Bay, but it is cheaper for them to stay closer and deprive osprey of this vital food source. This is starving Osprey, most notably chicks in the nest.  The numbers are stark and non-negotiable - we are allowing Osprey populations in the Bay to plummet for no good reason other than greed and laziness.  Omega Protein has demonstrated they are not willing to act in good faith to protect this resource in the Bay and so regulation is needed.  Why can other states achieve success in balancing nature and industry, while we fall far behind?

Why is Virginia the only Atlantic Coast state that allows industrial fishing in estuaries like the Chesapeake Bay?  We need to make it stop.  Omega can have all of the menhaden they need by fishing in the ocean, which they are well-equipped to do - AND we can protect our wildlife,  a crowning and valuable feature of the beautiful Virginia coastline.   It is time to act.