I urge the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to begin a regulatory process to determine the appropriate depth of purse seines in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and areas where this gear is not appropriate due to depth and/or other important resources. Recent net spills have highlighted the need to have regulations that better protect Virginias marine resources. The size and scale of the menhaden reduction fleet continues to raise significant questions about its effects on the menhaden population in Chesapeake Bay. Setting such regulations could help simply ensure that other Bay resources not targeted by this fishery will not be negatively affected by this resource.

I live on the bay and see the boats fishing every night, sometimes also in the daytime. Usually 2 or 3 boats at a time. Last week 4 at one time. The fishing is also very close to shore 1/2 mile to a mile. Never saw this frequent activity 7 years ago when I bought this property, the last 2 years fishing has increased dramatically.