We live at Stingray Pt and have seen the decline of the Osprey. In years past, regularly, we would see a dozen plus in the air.

Now we only see 2 or 3 at a time. So sad to see the drop in numbers.

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 for regulations to better protect Virginias marine resources. The size and scale of the menhaden reduction fleet continue to raise significant questions about its effects on the menhaden population in the 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.