There are multiple signs that menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay are in big trouble. They are the base of the food chain and osprey chicks are dying from starvation, our striped bass Which rely on menhaden have been in steep decline, The industry is having trouble meeting their quotas, and scientists have now acknowledged that the menhaden stock has been badly overstated. All of this calls for precautionary management to protect the vital ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay. Sadly, the industry continues to lobby against a menhaden study which makes me wonder, what are they afraid of? Will the VMRC board, which is dominated by commercial interest, do the right thing to protect the most important estuary in this country?