I fully support this petition.

Mismanagement of the industrial harvesting of menhaden has led to a state of ecological and economic disaster for the Virginia and Maryland recreational fishing industry. This is not just the charter boats, but the folks who want to go out and catch some for dinner. The Chesapeake Bay is the gateway to numerous rivers, so the impact is widespread. It appears that this type of harvesting is also damaging the bottom of the Bay which is not good.

It is also leading to the starvation of osprey in the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia waters. 

Industrial harvesting needs to be halted immediately and not wait on a multi-year study.

I support the ability of the local watermen to catch menhaden for sale to the local market.