This stinks!

[WhiteStoneBridge]

Algae blooms spreading in Chesapeake Bay | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com (http://hamptonroads.com/2009/08/algae-blooms-spreading-chesapeake-bay)


Looks like a bunch of menhaden food to me!

Too bad the Virginia legislature won't step up and BAN menhaden fishing from the Bay waters. It sure would be nice to have schools of menhaden filter all this algae out before it dies and creates these harmful blooms.

Can you tell I've read "The Most Important Fish in The Sea"? Just my two cents...

[DonQx]

This excessive growth of algae, also known as a red tide or mahogany tide, is a modern problem linked to high water temperatures and nutrient pollution from everyday sources such as fertilizers, lawn chemicals, auto exhaust and dirt.

Why would you have the lowly menhaden fix our problems, even if they could, which is highly questionable? Why don't we fix it ourselves?

[Kevin Smith]

You are exactly right to say we need Menhaden in the bay. The lack of Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay is another modern day problem that helps to prevent the Bay from recovering from pollution of any kind, including natural pollution.

Mature fish filter 3-6 gallons per minute of water and about 10 years ago very large schools were common in the Bay. Now we are lucky to see any schools of Menhaden and there were no Menhaden in the Deltaville area during last years Rockfish Season. The quantity of mature fish caught in the bay has dropped off to well below 15% of the catch and so there are very few spawning fish ever in the bay. So now they are killing juvenile fish 2 years or under that are not old enough to spawn.

A five year cap for Menhaden taken from the Chesapeake Bay of approximately 260 million tons per year and was agreed to about 4 years ago, along with the collection of scientific data. The 5 year agreement has almost expired, but there is no conclusive scientific data that says the biomass is large enought to support such a tremendous catch in the bay.

Now they want to extend the cap for another 5 years. When will it ever stop???

Kevin
Weekend Mistress

[HCKRUSE]

Kevin,

It's all about politics, greed and the lack of integrity on the part of the leaders we have that could make certain changes in the area of the Chesapeake Bay we live.

I guess when the last of the Menhaden species are caught and it's not feasible for the factory to operate that might be the end....That seems to be the way our system operates, I'm sorry to say.

Just my 2 cents.

HCK

[BAY DOG]

DonQx - Your right... We can't expect our Menhaden to get it done on their own. We all must do our part in helping clean-up our Chesapeake Bay. So... Before 5PM tomorrow, do your part - Urge Gov. Kaine to support runoff pollution reductions by approving the stormwater and poultry litter regulations headed to his desk.

Stormwater: Blackbaud NetCommunity (http://capwiz.com/cbf/issues/alert/?alertid=13834696)
Poultry Litter: Blackbaud NetCommunity (http://capwiz.com/cbf/issues/alert/?alertid=13813066)

Kevin - I noticed CCA signed on w/ CBF's letter to Gov. Kaine :thumbup: (And yes, how the facts about our Menhaden are being handled bring my head to the point of exploding too.) - TonyH

[TLT III]

I went out yesterday to Eastern Shore for cobia. Coming out of the Piankatank there were more than five Omega boats strung up the Bay doing their thing. Didn't sit well with me obviously.

[qdrose]

Kevin,

I guess when the last of the Menhaden species are caught and it's not feasible for the factory to operate that might be the end....
HCK

I wonder if this might happen sooner rather than later. Did anyone else notice Omega Protein's recently announced Q2-09 earnings?

Omega Protein Reports 2009 Second Quarter Results - Yahoo! Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Omega-Protein-Reports-2009-prnews-1263705323.html?x=0&.v=1)

They lost $0.18 per share. An interesting quote from the statement pasted below makes it sound like they aren't doing too well. I'd be interested on any insiders take on this.

"Given the recent economic conditions the Company is facing such as materially reduced fish oil sales prices and increased costs of sales related to the 2008 fishing season inventory, there is a likelihood that the Company may not be able to remain in compliance with certain financial covenants for the remainder of 2009. If current conditions persist, it may be necessary for the Company to either amend its existing financial covenants in its existing bank credit facility, renegotiate the bank credit facility or take other actions such as the temporary deferral of capital projects, or prepayment of an amount of debt. The result of each of these options is not readily apparent at this time but it is not expected to adversely effect the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations. As a result of the current conditions in the financial markets, no assurances can be given that such options will be available on acceptable terms, if at all."

[jeffc]

We all need to do our part in this...I live on the James in Richmond and I have a place on the rapp in topping... people are constantly poluting these waters every day with little to no regard... we need to work towards storm water runoff controls, limit poor and concrete jungle developments, encourage using better materials and processes to deal with run off issues and go back to nature and natural ways when it comes to fertilizers, cleaning, and still even then using them properly...many people think that only those who live by the water cause this...they do not realize they can live 100 miles away and still be in the watershed and cause the damage...
This is not just about the fleets...they do not help matters but they are also not the major cause...society as a whole is...

[jeffc]

perfect example...one of my neighbors who lives on the river...just bought the place a couple months ago...his property sits up on a hill sloping down to the river...first thing he does is goes and cuts down all the brush and trees on the river bank and levels it then plants grass all the way to the water...he then paves large sections of patios down there with paved walk ways leading down there... he now has the Chem lawn guys come out and spray everything once every other week...they also think this a great area to let their dogs go to the bathroom and when they go elsewhere they pick it up and throw it out there along with all the rest they never pick up...he siad no biggie, the river will wash it away... he had the nerve to ask me a couple weeks ago what the brown foam floating in the water off his property was and why there was so much algae and muck....needless to say he did not like what he heard next...

[LY2000]

DonQx - Your right... We can't expect our Menhaden to get it done on their own. We all must do our part in helping clean-up our Chesapeake Bay. So... Before 5PM tomorrow, do your part - Urge Gov. Kaine to support runoff pollution reductions by approving the stormwater and poultry litter regulations headed to his desk.

Stormwater: Blackbaud NetCommunity (http://capwiz.com/cbf/issues/alert/?alertid=13834696)
Poultry Litter: Blackbaud NetCommunity (http://capwiz.com/cbf/issues/alert/?alertid=13813066)

Kevin - I noticed CCA signed on w/ CBF's letter to Gov. Kaine :thumbup: (And yes, how the facts about our Menhaden are being handled bring my head to the point of exploding too.) - TonyH

Make this post a sticky.

[gooosehunter]

Omega will stop when they longer have enough fish in the bay to make a profit. Pure and simple economics. As long as they make a profit, they will do everything in their power to keep the operations status quo.

Dave
Island Bound
Norfolk

[Kevin Smith]

There is nothing wrong with Menhaden Fishing, Omega just shouldn't be allowed to take up to 260 million tons of Menhaden out of this vital estuary. The water quality and the health of the stripers is a clear example of the problem this is creating.

In my opintion it would probably be better if they did their fishing in the ocean where Menhaden are plentiful.

Kevin
Weekend Mistress

[HCKRUSE]

Kevin,

I think we all would agree with you on your last post. Trying to get that type of regulation through legislation would be the problem. Politic's as I mentioned previously is a major factor.

HCK

[WhiteStoneBridge]

Well said, Kevin and Howard. I'm not sure if this link will work, but you can see who Omega Protein's lobbying recipients are from the last several years. With such a broad group of Republicans AND Democrats on here, it will be hard to get any of these politicians to change their mind.

Money Out (Contributions): Omega Protein (http://www.vpap.org/donors/profile/index/137690?start_year=2005&end_year=2009&lookup_type=year&filing_period=all&filter_cmte=all&filter_cmte_radio=all&order=amount)

[HCKRUSE]

From what I see from the link on that last post, the amount of money that was given to the politicians as favors, sure sold the Chesapeake Bay short for what it is. I'm sure that would make Judas turn over in his grave.

HCK

[FFBrent]

Or do they catch them as long as they occupy the bay?

Is it possible that the company grew too big and now they must catch all they can to pay the bills?

I was talking to a friend yesterday who used to live in Alaska. He said there is a certain fish there (he didnt remember the kind) and there is a 6 HOUR season on them for the year. Talk about protecting a resource. That was years ago, I dont know if they still do it, but I thought it was interesting.

Brent

[Kevin Smith]

The Coastal Conservation Association-Virginia Chapter has been taking opinion polls for the last few years and about 90% of those responding have been very concerned about the Menhaden stocks in the Chesapeake Bay. We have turned over thousands of these surveys to the VMRC and your Virginia's legislators. We walk the halls in the capitol of Virginia and we have spoken to every representative that will listen. We attend every meeting related the saltwater fisheries of the Chesapeake Bay including the VMRC, ASMFC, etc, etc, etc. We are an entirely volunteer organization, a 501 C non profit and fund our efforts through banquets and fishing tournaments and obviously we need your help.

Your help can be as simple as a tax deductible membership of $25.00 per year, donations to our banquets, buying tickets to these banquet, buying an entry in our striper tournament in Deltaville, writting letters to your representative about the Menhaden stocks, attending the upcoming public hearings about Menhaden or any other issue you feel are important. It will be an up-hill battle every year, but you can help make a difference in protecting our saltwater fisheries.

By increasing our membership in Virginia, it gives the CCA VA and you a louder voice when it comes to Menhaden and other Viriginia saltwater fisheries. We cannot succeed without you.

Even if you don't join the CCA VA, please consider joining an organization that will help protect Virginia's saltwater fisheries.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and your passion for the Chesapeake Bay Fisheries!

Kevin Smith

[HCKRUSE]

Kevin,

Thanks to you and others like yourself that have donated your time and effort to help make a difference through the CCA Va.:clapping2:

I haven't renewed my membersship in awhile, but the check is in the mail.


HCK

[Rising Tide]

I've been a member, though not active enough, for several years, and plan to go to the CCA-Deltaville Banquet this year.

CCA is probably the loudest voice we have as rec fisherman in Virginia. Lord knows we, our sport, and the Bay needs all the voices on our side we can get.

One thing I have done in the past, is instead of just donating a $100, buy 4 fishing buddies a CCA membership. They appreciate it, and often re-up themselves the following year.

I am not kidding - if CCA-VA put a bus trip together to the State House to wave signs and march around (hopefully with some press coverage), I would definately sign up. Yelling in public seems to be the only thing working these days. :wacko:

[timber]

I've been a member, though not active enough, for several years, and plan to go to the CCA-Deltaville Banquet this year.

CCA is probably the loudest voice we have as rec fisherman in Virginia. Lord knows we, our sport, and the Bay needs all the voices on our side we can get.

One thing I have done in the past, is instead of just donating a $100, buy 4 fishing buddies a CCA membership. They appreciate it, and often re-up themselves the following year.

I am not kidding - if CCA-VA put a bus trip together to the State House to wave signs and march around (hopefully with some press coverage), I would definately sign up. Yelling in public seems to be the only thing working these days. :wacko:


If someone can get the bus I will drive it

[HCKRUSE]

Sounds Like a Menhaden "Tea Party" to me.


HCK:thumbup:

[Kevin Smith]

Not trying to hi jack the thread, but if you can make it there are some great items for raffles, silent auction and live auction...

CCA VA Central Chapter Banquet is Saturday evening, September 26th at Colonial Downs

CCA VA Deltaville Chapter Banquet is Saturday evening, October 10th at Kingston Plantation and Inn

Kevin

[HCKRUSE]

Kevin,

Will try and make it to the Kingston Plantation in Mathews County October 10th, and bring a few me.

HCK

[Glenn Carter aka FISHUNT]

And if this is the HCKRUSE that I think it is tell him thanks for getting the CCA Deltaville Striped Bass Tournament up and running. Without his help it would not have happend. How many years ago has it been anyway?

Boy does time slip away!!

Thank you Howard :thumbup:
Glenn Carter

[HCKRUSE]

Glenn It's been a long time...I don't remember the year, but I'll bet Buzz Brown and some of those boy's do. Those were the good old days.

HCK

[Kevin Smith]

It will be the 16th Annual CCA VA Deltaville Tournament December 5th. Hope to see you there.

Thanks for your help in making this an annual success!

Kevin