Kevin Smith
02-18-2009, 01:19 PM
Same Stuff - Different Estuary
Group Insists on Menhaden Study
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
By HARLAN KIRGAN
BILOXI The Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources heard a series of calls Tuesday for a wide-ranging study of the menhaden population in the Mississippi Sound and its related ecosystem.
The small, oily menhaden, also called a pogy, is one of the basic forage fish in the Sound and Gulf of Mexico.
"Menhaden play a unique and important role in the food web of the Mississippi Sound, providing prey for marine predators including red drum, pelicans and dolphins," stated a letter presented to commission Chairman Vernon Asper from the Save the Bait Coalition of Mississippi.
Last month, the commission voted against any further regulation of menhaden fishing. On Tuesday, its members heard from proponents pressing for:
-- a study of menhaden numbers.
-- limits on the catch.
-- the presence of observers on pogie boats to monitor other fish caught in the nets.
The commission took no action Tuesday on the requests.
Menhaden are harvested primarily to make fish meal and omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega Protein, which operates eight fishing boats from a Moss Point plant, presented its own statement to the commission that discouraged a study.
"We believe all would like to see this type of research. However, we understand from the sci entific community that we are not yet in position to conduct such a study, as analytical models have not been refined and data to feed such models are not yet available," said Rick Schillaci, public affairs coordinator for Omega Protein, reading from a statement.
One of those on the other side of the issue was George Schloegel, chief executive officer and president of Hancock Bank. He urged a comprehensive study involving menhaden.
"I don't think the issue is that the menhaden fishery right now is in trouble, because it is not," said Aaron Viles, campaign director of the Save the Bait Coalition. "What ... George Schoegel was saying was consider the impact of this fishery on everything else, not just on what is eating menhaden."
The Omega Protein statement to the commission said the menhaden fishery is closely monitored, harvests less than
20 percent of the total available fish and that bycatch is minimal.
Commissioner Steve Bosarge of Hancock County, who represents commercial fishing interests, said to Viles, "If you have some science, I'd like to look at it."
Viles said the latest information is from 2004 and the next stock assessment is scheduled in 2012. "You don't have any controls to keep from going over your limits," he said.
Tim Becker, president of the Mississippi Charter Boat Network, said, "We are looking not to close them down. We are look ing to have some ecosystem management done. Listen to the public. You are going to hear some horror stories that they have seen."
There are no official numbers on the amount of menhaden caught in the Mississippi Sound. "We were told last month that only 50 million pounds were produced in Mississippi waters. We have since found out that in 2006, 200 million pounds were reported from our waters," said Steve Shepard, chair of the Gulf Coast Group of the Sierra Club.
Omega Protein's Schillaci said that not all of the pogies caught come from Mississippi waters. The company boats do go into Louisiana waters, he said.
"Inaction by this commission will not solve this contentious and longstanding dispute," said Louis Skrmetta, operator of Ship Island Excursions and president of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Attractions Association. Skrmetta asked the commission for an independent study of menhaden and its impact on the Mississippi Sound ecosystem.
Menhaden is a complex issue and last month's vote to not to take any action was "shortsighted and inconsistent," said Ray Lanaz, an executive board member of the Coastal Conservation Association of Mississippi. He requested a study that looks at habitat and the menhaden's role in issues such as water quality.
The commission chairman, Vesper, said, "I want to encourage you and other groups to continue your coalition to help us develop a better plan for preserving our habitat because the wetlands are so extremely important and water quality is really important."
Omega Protein employs about 290 people and has an annual payroll of about $10 million at its Moss Point operation, according to a company news release.
Other Commission on Marine Resources members are Richard Gollott, vice chairman, of Harrison County; Shelby Drummond of Jackson County; and Jimmy Taylor of Harrison County.
Group Insists on Menhaden Study
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
By HARLAN KIRGAN
BILOXI The Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources heard a series of calls Tuesday for a wide-ranging study of the menhaden population in the Mississippi Sound and its related ecosystem.
The small, oily menhaden, also called a pogy, is one of the basic forage fish in the Sound and Gulf of Mexico.
"Menhaden play a unique and important role in the food web of the Mississippi Sound, providing prey for marine predators including red drum, pelicans and dolphins," stated a letter presented to commission Chairman Vernon Asper from the Save the Bait Coalition of Mississippi.
Last month, the commission voted against any further regulation of menhaden fishing. On Tuesday, its members heard from proponents pressing for:
-- a study of menhaden numbers.
-- limits on the catch.
-- the presence of observers on pogie boats to monitor other fish caught in the nets.
The commission took no action Tuesday on the requests.
Menhaden are harvested primarily to make fish meal and omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega Protein, which operates eight fishing boats from a Moss Point plant, presented its own statement to the commission that discouraged a study.
"We believe all would like to see this type of research. However, we understand from the sci entific community that we are not yet in position to conduct such a study, as analytical models have not been refined and data to feed such models are not yet available," said Rick Schillaci, public affairs coordinator for Omega Protein, reading from a statement.
One of those on the other side of the issue was George Schloegel, chief executive officer and president of Hancock Bank. He urged a comprehensive study involving menhaden.
"I don't think the issue is that the menhaden fishery right now is in trouble, because it is not," said Aaron Viles, campaign director of the Save the Bait Coalition. "What ... George Schoegel was saying was consider the impact of this fishery on everything else, not just on what is eating menhaden."
The Omega Protein statement to the commission said the menhaden fishery is closely monitored, harvests less than
20 percent of the total available fish and that bycatch is minimal.
Commissioner Steve Bosarge of Hancock County, who represents commercial fishing interests, said to Viles, "If you have some science, I'd like to look at it."
Viles said the latest information is from 2004 and the next stock assessment is scheduled in 2012. "You don't have any controls to keep from going over your limits," he said.
Tim Becker, president of the Mississippi Charter Boat Network, said, "We are looking not to close them down. We are look ing to have some ecosystem management done. Listen to the public. You are going to hear some horror stories that they have seen."
There are no official numbers on the amount of menhaden caught in the Mississippi Sound. "We were told last month that only 50 million pounds were produced in Mississippi waters. We have since found out that in 2006, 200 million pounds were reported from our waters," said Steve Shepard, chair of the Gulf Coast Group of the Sierra Club.
Omega Protein's Schillaci said that not all of the pogies caught come from Mississippi waters. The company boats do go into Louisiana waters, he said.
"Inaction by this commission will not solve this contentious and longstanding dispute," said Louis Skrmetta, operator of Ship Island Excursions and president of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Attractions Association. Skrmetta asked the commission for an independent study of menhaden and its impact on the Mississippi Sound ecosystem.
Menhaden is a complex issue and last month's vote to not to take any action was "shortsighted and inconsistent," said Ray Lanaz, an executive board member of the Coastal Conservation Association of Mississippi. He requested a study that looks at habitat and the menhaden's role in issues such as water quality.
The commission chairman, Vesper, said, "I want to encourage you and other groups to continue your coalition to help us develop a better plan for preserving our habitat because the wetlands are so extremely important and water quality is really important."
Omega Protein employs about 290 people and has an annual payroll of about $10 million at its Moss Point operation, according to a company news release.
Other Commission on Marine Resources members are Richard Gollott, vice chairman, of Harrison County; Shelby Drummond of Jackson County; and Jimmy Taylor of Harrison County.