As a menhaden fish spotter who was formerly a menhaden fisherman I do NOT support this petition. Menhaden boat captains and crews can control their nets and the last thing they want to do is drag the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay and cause any harm to the sea floor and/or their equipment.

   For the most part, these fish swim on top of the water so there is no advantage of putting ourselves at risk of tearing a net from dragging the bottom and causing a fish spill. Net tears happen because of unknown objects such as wrecks, lost anchors, or debris that protrude from the bottom, not because the net was set to drag the bottom. If the net did drag the bottom, nets would be torn daily.

    Our business has been catching menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay for almost 150 years and we take pride in what we do. We are not in the business of harming the Chesapeake Bay, we want the bay to thrive so our children and grandchildren can benefit from it the same as we do.