Menhaden fishing in the Chesapeake Bay is killing the ecosystem, damaging to the state’s economies and polluting the environment.  Much like other states, Virginia should ban all purse seining in state waters.  Specifically foreign owned companies like Omega who completely demolish the menhaden stock in the bay to save fuel and fish closer to port.  Their damage to a foundational marine food supply is only one of their atrocities.  Their by catch consistently kills or harms game fish that provide breeding stock for populations in critical danger. 

Decisions regarding marine and biological elements of the states resources should be made by non bias trained specialists. A group who cannot be bought and paid for.  Politicians have allowed this practice far too long simply to receive personal benefit and campaign contributions from large corporations like Omega.