Dear Concerned Fishermen-
Next week will be a big week in the Bunker Battle, with the ASMFC coming back together on Wednesday the 26th to vote again and break the tie vote that was attempted at the last meeting SIX times. We only need for one state to shift gears and vote for conservation! Let’s continue to restore bunker populations.
Please take a moment to fire off an email to your states ASMFC commissioners http://menhadendefenders.org/and tell them what you NOW see on the water in your state and why they should OPPOSE any increase in harvest quota at this time.
Menhaden Defenders has been fighting for 70/30 split between reduction and bait sectors for over a decade. Hard to believe that the bait sector continues to bed down with Omega Protein and fight against us. These relatively tiny operations here in NJ now have to stop bunker bait fishing in July each year because the lion’s share of the coastal catch limit is magically granted to Omega.
Focusing on rebuilding and restoring instead of appeasing industrial harvest appetites is clearly the direction the commission needs to take! If the last 3 years are any indication, it will not take long to increase abundance from Maine to Florida. The reality of all of this is that if we can win on Wednesday and FREEZE THE CATCH QUOTA it would be a win-win for the marine ecosystem, and recreational & commercial fishermen!
Thank you,
Capt. Paul Eidman
Founder of Menhaden Defenders Remember: NO BUNKER = NO BASS!
