Omega, et al
Omega has no interest in cutting its own throat, period. Certain self destructive, extractive, type industries have short term profit orientation and have been known, especially in fisheries, to literally kill the golden goose that feeds them. If people remain complacent and did not force government, thats right, government, to intervene, there would be NO menhaden left anywhere. The examples of this mindset are legion. You can complain about the federal government all day long, but had the ASMFC, for example, not dragged virginia kicking and screaming to limit rockfish catches, there wouldnt be any, at least not here. Now, of course, our state tauts its "outstanding effort to bring rockfish back". The hypocrisy is stunning. Commercial extinction is the final "self regulating solution", when all else fails. Examples are everywhere, just look around.
Our menhaden have not been needed for all the things Omega does with them, for a long time, having been replaced with other hi protein sources. But that hasnt stopped our legislators from taking soft money from Omega and turning a bllind eye to conservation and that hasnt stopped the owners of Omega from doing what they do. They scream "job loss" as a reason for continuing their dirty work. 99% of the people who work there make barely a living wage. The money is top oriented. So it goes -im hoping we all wake up one day - the recreational sector has more clout than they realize - but sadly lack any coherent organization which gives voice to their combined, multi billion dollar contribution to the economy.