Dear Virginia Marine Resources Commission Members,

I am writing you today in support of implementing stricter regulations on the purse seine fishery for menhaden. The use of these nets in too shallow of water (less than 60ft) causes unnecessary impacts to non-target marine species that cannot escape the nets and harms benthic habitats by dragging across them. This is not how this type of gear should be used and there should be net depth restrictions put in place to prevent this poor method of commercial fishing from continuing any longer. Since there is only one company participating in this fishery (Ocean Harvesters) this should be an easy policy to establish and enforce to the benefit of many other stakeholders who utilize menhaden.

One company impacting one species of highly migratory fish like menhaden should not be allowed to continue with damaging fishing practices like this when so many other fisheries and marine species across the East Coast rely heavily on menhaden. I hope to see continued pressure applied to Ocean Harvesters because they have proven themselves to be poor stewards of the menhaden resource their business depends on. The list of violations they have committed while fishing for menhaden is extensive and reveals their disregard for regulations and the marine environment they operate in as a whole that is just not acceptable.

The recent abundance in menhaden through improved regulations has been a truly beautiful thing to behold. So much life follows these menhaden around and puts on National Geographic level displays in our local waters as they feed on them. Witnessing these truly magnificent experiences is so special and the menhaden should continue to be conserved so that these spectacles of nature can continue to be enjoyed by all instead of abused by a single commercial fishing company like Ocean Harvesters. The ocean and coastline needs menhaden, it does not need a dirty corporation taking these priceless fish in such damaging ways.

I hope the Commission will take the right course of action here and better regulate the purse seine methods and entire menhaden fishery better in Virginia. The fishermen, our sportfish, whales and dolphins, ospreys and cormorants, plus many more animals are counting on your members to do so. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.

-Eric