Northumberland County, Virginia: Menhaden Quota Cut Sparks Dispute; Omega Protein Says Hundreds of Jobs at Stake
After the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recently voted to lower the coastwide total quota for Atlantic menhaden, Virginia fishing companies spoke out on November 12. Ocean Harvesters and Omega Protein issued a statement thanking the commission's members and staff for their work on menhaden management, while condemning attacks by recreational fishing and environmental groups on commissioners and fishing families after the vote.
The two companies said a cut from the current quota was unnecessary but that they understood the compromise commissioners reached in a difficult decision. The commission's latest assessment found that Atlantic menhaden are neither overfished nor subject to overfishing. Omega Protein CEO Monty Deaver said the quota cut will make life harder for workers and communities. The statement singled out thanks to Virginia commissioners Adele McClure, J.J. Minor and Joe Grist.
Omega Protein and Ocean Harvesters support hundreds of jobs in Virginia's Northern Neck and are the largest commercial employer in Northumberland County.
Source: Omega Protein
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：一艘渔船（资料图）。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，ImagePerson 摄，CC BY 4.0。 Image: A fishing vessel (file photo). Source: Wikimedia Commons, photo by ImagePerson, CC BY 4.0.
