PRESS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release                                                  Contact: Howard Cushing 518-674-2961

                                                                                                      Wally John            518-479-2485

 

            The New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) takes a bold step to protect the striped bass, weakfish, bluefish and the vital ecosystems of the Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay .

            The effort is the result of recent reports concerning the Atlantic Menhaden fishery.  The Atlantic Menhaden serve as forage fish for the striped bass, weakfish, bluefish and is also a food source for many sea birds (including loons and ospreys) and marine mammals. The fish are a principle filter feeder second only to the oysters, which also seem to be on the decline in population.   Reports are currently showing a decreasing number of Atlantic Menhaden along the Atlantic shoreline. This number seems to continue to grow. While there have been some reasons given the one highlighted as having the most influence is commercial fishing efforts.

            For years Atlantic Menhaden have been harvested heavily within the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding areas with over 75% of the fish harvested in 2003 being from this area.  In fact in this area spotter planes are used to target whole schools at one time.  Many of the fish are sent to a processing plant in Reedville , Virginia and made into meal for animal feed or used in  human diet supplements. Except for Virginia and North Carolina , the East Coast states do not permit industrialized Atlantic Menhaden harvesting.  This means that the lion’s share of the harvest is taken from the Bay area.   There is a need for action to assure that this valuable resource is managed properly.

            “The NYSCC has gone on record in support of conservation and sound scientific management of all fish species in all of our waters.  The Hudson River and our coastline provide a great striper fishing opportunity.  This adds to the renowned fishery resources in NY State, complimented by the Great Lakes Fishery, Lake Erie with its infamous walleye fishing, Lake Champlain , the Finger Lakes , Lake Champlain , and many other lakes, ponds and bodies of water.  This fishing activity provides the much needed social, recreational, and economic backbone of this State,” reported Howard Cushing, NYSCC President. “ We have embarked on a great campaign to maintain the quality of the life of the ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay and  surrounding areas in order to enhance a great conservation experience.”

            To this end, NYSCC President Howard Cushing, NYSCC Legislative Vice President Wally John and Dutchess County activist and leader, William Emslie testified on July 7th in Long Island to support a strategic management plan for the Atlantic Menhaden resource; one that involved not only a limitation cap for 5 years in the Bay, but also supports more research on interaction of species there.   The NYSCC is organizing and advocating a letter writing campaign and has approached grassroots sportsmen, the general public and state and national legislators to submit comments on a sound Atlantic Menhaden management plan.

            This plan includes:

  1. Requesting that a limit cap be imposed for the harvest of Atlantic Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding area on Commercial fishing.

  2. That this limit cap be in place for a minimum of 5 years and be renewable for another 5 if necessary.

  3. The development of a management plan that includes “multi-species” interaction.

  4.  A research program for the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding areas such as the Hudson River that develops sound scientific information about forage fish such as the Atlantic Menhaden.

 

            At the current time the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is considering an Addendum 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic Menhaden. Comments such as provided here, must be received by the ASMFC by August 1, 2005 .  We are asking that individuals and groups make comments and send them to:

                                    Nancy Wallace

                                    Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

                                    1444 Eye Street, NW

                                    Washington , DC 20005     or email  comments@asmfc.org

 

Please help to protect the striped bass fish population here in New York State by acting today. Send your comments now.

 

            The New York State Conservation Council, Inc, is a non-profit statewide organization which represents the sportsmen and women of the state as well as to maintain a watchful eye on the proper management and stewardship of our valuable natural resources.

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