Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Marine Resources Commission
 
Board
Marine Resources Commission
 
chapter
[4 VAC 20 ‑ ]
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8/22/23  9:18 am
Commenter: Taylor Vavra, Stripers Forever

Stop Purse Seine Fishing In Shallow Water
 
  • Omega Protein is using purse seine nets improperly and in violation of the Marine Stewardship Council Sustainability Certification under which they operate.
  • Use of these nets in shallow water, less than 60 feet, does not allow bycatch (non-targeted species) to escape.
  • Use of these nets in shallow water, less than 60 feet, causes catastrophic damage to the seabed, seagrass and marine life.
  • Restricting the depth in which these nets can be used will also help to avoid unnecessary net spills, tears and in turn a waste of the resource.

Please stop allowing Omega Protein to operate using purse swine nets in shallow water. Doing so causes damage to the bay and it’s marine life.

CommentID: 219701