I support this petition. Placing a harvest moratorium until studies are completed to assess menhaden populations makes common, biological, and economic sense. Ascertaining that a fisheries is sustainable is in everyone's interest. If the current fisheries is not sustainable, than it will collapse and along with it people's livelihoods and the local economy. This once-numerous planktivore is keystone species and the main forage fish for commercial and game fish like striped bass, rock fish, cod; as well and sustaining predatory birds like Osprey. Anyone who doesn't believe that menhaden are being over-harvested should read The Most Numerous Fish in the Sea by H. Bruce Franklin. This excellent book chronicles how their overharvest since the 1800s has caused the decline of predator fish mentioned above, and ultimately other prey like crabs, when predators switched to these after menhaden became scarce. Other Atlantic states have enacted measures to limit Menhaden harvest. I urge the Virginia  Marine Resources Commission to follow suit.