Virginia’s dissent was front‑and‑center as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved tighter catch limits for the Chesapeake Bay fishery. The board voted 14‑2 to lower the 2027 cap to 37,123 metric tons and the 2028 cap to 33,847 metric tons, down from the current 51,000‑ton ceiling that has been in place since 2018.
Key details of the new limits
The reduced caps are scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2027. In addition, the board set a new upper limit of 51,000 metric tons for the Chesapeake Bay reduction‑fishery cap going forward, with no lower limit established. That motion passed 13‑2, again with Virginia opposing.
Virginia’s objections
Virginia’s two dissenting votes reflected concerns from local fishermen and industry groups. Ocean Harvesters, a commercial fleet based in Reedville, warned that the lower limits could jeopardize the livelihoods of workers whose income depends on the catch. The group argued that the scientific basis for the cuts is not yet solid, especially since the latest assessment found Atlantic menhaden are not overfished coastwide and overfishing is not occurring.
Conservation perspective
Supporters of the stricter limits, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, urged a more precautionary approach. Menhaden are small forage fish that provide essential food for a wide range of Bay predators, and the commission has been monitoring concerns that concentrated fishing effort may be affecting other fisheries and the broader ecosystem.
Research and future reviews
The board also agreed to revisit the Chesapeake Bay cap every three years, allowing future decisions to incorporate new research. Virginia Institute of Marine Science researchers are beginning Bay‑specific studies, such as tagging menhaden to track movement and assess fishing impacts. Those studies are slated for 2027‑2028, and the reduction cap could affect the tagging program because many tagged fish are caught by Ocean Harvesters.
What this means for local communities
For Virginia’s commercial menhaden fishery, the new limits could mean reduced catch volumes and tighter seasonal management. However, the existing seasonal structure will remain, as a proposal to split the season into three equal quota periods failed.
Stakeholders on both sides agree that more Bay‑specific science is needed. The commission’s decision to schedule regular three‑year reviews provides a mechanism for incorporating emerging data, which could lead to adjustments that balance ecological health with the economic needs of Virginia’s fishing families.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
