As a 43 year employee in the reduction fishing industry, I have experienced first hand the many different attempts to close our business by these groups. 

The recreational fishing  community has been able to grow their industry while menhaden purse seine fishing efforts were 3 times higher than they are right now for decades. So to place blame on our 6 fishing vessels is nothing more than an attempt to get rid of our 147 year old business and put hundreds of multigenerational employees out of work. 

Members of these groups have approached my boat, interfered with our fishing, yelled obscenities and threatened harm on multiple occasions, which is absurd considering scientists have found that the Menhaden stock is overwhelmingly abundant for decades. When is enough going to be enough? These groups will continue to attack us in different venues until they find something that sticks. Please reject this petition and keep our 147 year old industry and livelihoods alive!