Where do Virginia Governor Candidates Stand on Menhaden Study Bill?

Yahoo

30-01-2025

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — House Bill 2713 (HB2713) would require the Commonwealth of Virginia to conduct a study of the status of Atlantic menhaden in Virginia's portion of the Chesapeake Bay. It is a hot button issue that has been debated among conservation and outdoors groups, and the reduction fishing industry for years.
So, where do Virginia's leading candidates for governor stand on the issue?
Republican Winsome Earle-Sears has not responded to requests by WFXR for her position on the menhaden study bill.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger has not committed supporting this bill in particular, but she says she is in favor of the idea of finding out more about menhaden numbers and how various environmental and industrial factors play into their status.
'More information is always powerful and helpful in making decision,' said Spanberger. 'When it comes to digging into an issue and fully understanding, perhaps, the impacts, as an issue of principle I'm generally supportive of those efforts.'
Governor Glenn Youngkin has also not taken a position on the bill, though his office did issue the following statement:
'Since day one, the administration and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission have been engaged with all stakeholders from Virginia's commercial and recreational fishing sectors about these issues and the importance of commonsense solutions for protecting and cleaning up the Bay. Last year, VMRC adopted a Memorandum of Understanding with the menhaden industry to minimize and mitigate fish spills through strict fishing restrictions during peak public use times, geographical restrictions on harvest, and clear protocols for spill response. Cooperative approaches like this are important steps towards promoting transparency and accountability within the industry while safeguarding our marine environment for all of Virginia's users and economic activities that rely on the Bay.
The Administration and VMRC will continue to work with all users of the Bay to ensure accountability and stewardship of Virginia's natural resources. The Governor will carefully review all legislation that is sent to him during the 2025 General Assembly.'
Conservation and sportfishing groups have been critical of the industrial menhaden reduction fishery on the bay, and say local numbers have declined, leading to a decline in various fish and wildlife. Virginia is the only state on the Atlantic coast that allows industrial reduction fishing on estuaries like the Chesapeake Bay.
There is only one company practicing industrial reduction fishing for menhaden in Virginia, Reedville-based Omega Protein. Omega says menhaden stocks are solid and sustainable. They point to coast-wide studies to back that position.
However, there has been no recent localized research done to establish the population in Virginia's portion of the Chesapeake.
Delegate Paul Milde (R-Stafford) is the patron of HB2713.
'There are no modern-day studies of menhaden populations in the bay,' said Del. Milde. 'It makes sense that we need to find out where we really are with the menhaden, and if there are any connections between rockfish populations, osprey populations, and the menhaden catch.'
The bill is before the Virginia House Rules-Studies Subcommittee. That is the same subcommittee that last year killed the latest effort to pass a study bill. The proposal was tabled by a subcommittee voice vote without explanation or debate.
WFXR News has reached out to members of that subcommittee to find out their positions on the current bill, but so far has received no responses.
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