As chair of the Maine Native Fish Coalition and an active inland and ocean fisherman plying for Striped Bass and other native fish species, I find it appalling to witness the over-harvesting of the oceans and estuaries most important and abundant food source that feeds multiple species of fish-the Menhaden.  Recreational angling numbers have grown with the advent of healthy populations of many native ocean fish.  Ocean Recreational fishing activity produces multi-millions in revenue for each eastern shoreline state and it is our responsibility to preserve and conserve the most important sources of food that provide for healthy populations of fish that anglers seek.  Hence the over harvesting of Menhaden must be addressed with strict laws that will limit the number of Menhaden being netted.  States need to work together to make this happen now while populations are healthy and not wait until Menhaden numbers become greatly depleted.  Healthy native fish populations help measurably to enhance and preserve all ecological activity resulting in clean, less contaminated estuaries and oceans.  The time to act is now!