The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) voted 5-3 on April 23 in Newport News to deny a petition from the Chesapeake Legal Alliance and Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization that would have placed a moratorium on menhaden purse seine fishing in Virginia waters of Chesapeake Bay.
Virginia is the only state on the Atlantic coast that allows large menhaden reduction fishing.
Omega Protein, owned by Cooke Inc. of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, and Ocean Harvesters, firms that process and harvest the fish, are the largest reduction menhaden fish companies operating on the East Coast. Omega and Ocean Harvesters are two of the largest employers on Virginia’s Northern Neck and corporate offices are located in Reedville.
