RICHMOND, Va. — Recreational fishing industry leaders are calling on President Donald Trump to restrict industrial fishing of menhaden and other forage fish through executive action.
The Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association and other groups say large-scale harvesting of menhaden — small fish that serve as food for larger species — threatens Virginia’s billion-dollar recreational fishing economy and Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
Steve Atkinson, the association’s chairman, said Virginia waters are being “hammered” by overfishing, particularly by operations using purse seine nets in shallow bay waters. While menhaden are not officially classified as overfished, Atkinson said no comprehensive assessment has examined the industrial fishery’s impact.
“In effect, they are the canary in the coal mine,” Atkinson said. “It is time for strong executive action to put America first by protecting these important forage fish.”
The debate has centered on companies like Reedville-based Omega Protein, which has denied its operations cause fish shortages. Multiple regulation requests and court cases have sought to reduce catch limits in recent years.
State legislative efforts to fund menhaden research have repeatedly stalled. Atkinson cited industry lobbying and political donations as obstacles to reform.
Trump recently posted about the issue on Truth Social, raising hopes among recreational fishing advocates for federal intervention. Researchers have also linked declining osprey nest success in coastal Virginia to potential food shortages caused by reduced menhaden populations.
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The debate has centered on companies like Reedville-based Omega Protein, which has denied its operations cause fish shortages. So who are you going to believe, profit focused “big fish” or facts?