Dear Virginia Marine Resources Commission,

I personally and my organization, Southern Maryland Audubon, strongly support the measure to protect menhaden fisheries. The menhaden are critical to so many species--other fish and many of our waterfowl, raptors and water birds. The threat facing menhaden populations is simultaneously a threat to all those forms of wildlife in its food chain. No menhaden and we will see drastic declines in our Osprey and other wildlife populations in a chain reaction, that once started, will be extremely difficult to reverse.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Molly Moore

President, Southern Maryland Audubon

Maryland Master Naturalist