The need for a mile buffer off the coast of Louisiana wouldn’t be the first time rules have been instituted around reduction fishing in the United States to stop overfishing and other harmful practices. Regardless of those rules, Canadian-owned Omega Protein violated catch limits off the coast of Virginia. This violation occurred in regulated waters, sadly, Louisiana doesn’t have any such regulations to ensure that our coastal waters are not overfished. This is also a reason why CCA Louisiana will continue to work on a buffer that not only protects our surf zone but our coastal marine wildlife as well.

Atlantic states commission says Omega violated menhaden limit

Virginia’s menhaden reduction fishery could be out of compliance with the Atlantic interstate management plan, and Omega Protein could be threatened with a shutdown of the fishery after a Thursday vote by regulators.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to accept its Menhaden Management Board’s recommendation that Virginia is out of compliance with the commission’s fishery management plan and its 51,000 metric ton annual catch limit in the Chesapeake Bay.

Omega says its Reedville, Va.-based fleet works in ocean waters whenever possible, but with adverse conditions there and abundant fish in the bay, the company sought safer working conditions. The company also takes the position that the commission’s decision to cut the bay fishing cap 41 percent in 2017 was “an arbitrary figure that was not scientifically derived.”

The company has contended it is justified to continue fishing under an earlier 87,216 metric ton cap that was adopted by the Virginia General Assembly, which under Virginia law has the final say in managing the menhaden industry.

Read the full story at National Fisherman.