The Cape Charles Mirror has received reports of a massive menhaden fish spill which extends from Latimer’s Bluff to Fishermans Island. Early reports indicate that the spill is the result of some form breach from fishing operations near the CBBT. Omega Protein, which operates a reduction fishery in Reedville, VA, has so far said the spill is not associated with their fleet; however, whether or not the fish were bound via contract fisherman for the Reedville reduction fishery has not been confirmed. The Mirror spoke with Northampton County Board of Supervisors Chairman Spencer Murray, and he stated that from Latimer’s Bluff looking south, the beaches were covered and that the stench was overwhelming. The Mirror has confirmed that fish are also washing up at Sunset Beach Resort as they are preparing for their Grand Opening and 4th of July festivities.
UPDATE: From Supervisor Murray, “Fortunately Sunset Beach is not as heavily covered. I have spoken to John Bull, VMRC Commissioner who says the source of the spill has not been confirmed but could be dead fish from a broken pound net. Omega Protein says it is not their spill but they have sent one crew from Norfolk (HEPACO) who are cleaning Latimer’s now. I asked that Omega send another crew to Sunset which looks almost full now but will have 1,700 campers tomorrow. Todd Burbage is here and has said he will send his crew down to the beach if necessary.
Just heard there are two more crews coming. One for Sunset and one for Kiptopeake State Park which is also covered.
Remediation is good and thanks to all for the quick response. The incidents will hopefully cease.”
The is the second large spill on an Eastern Shore beach in so many weeks.
when are you folks understand, the Menhaden boats are told to dump so the price to go UP, your sticking your head in the sand if you think different, The CBES know what is happened, “citizens for a better eastern shore” BULL,,they are citizens for Richmond where that allow this slaughter of innocent species, that enhance in a cleaner Bay and abundant of fish for sport. Delaware, Maryland dont allow the Bunker boats only currupt politicians supported by CBES
Fortunately Sunset Beach is not as heavily covered. I have spoken to John Bull, VMRC Commissioner who says the source of the spill has not been confirmed but could be dead fish from a broken pound net. Omega Protein says it is not their spill but they have sent one crew from Norfolk (HEPACO) who are cleaning Latimer’s now. I asked that Omega send another crew to Sunset which looks almost full now but will have 1,700 campers tomorrow. Todd Burbage is here and has said he will send his crew down to the beach if necessary.
Just heard there are two more crews coming. One for Sunset and one for Kiptopeake State Park which is also covered.
Remediation is good and thanks to all for the quick response. The incidents will hopefully cease.
Thanks for your article.
hey idiot ,,,,,,fish in the net are still alive, it’s when thy dump them on board where they live a while and then die, explain to the folks why Delaware, Merland don’t allow because they understand are environmental smart States ,,we Virginia is is either stupid or favors that is standard in Virginia politics
It is really great to have a balanced report from an elected official who cares enough to get and present facts against emotional age-challenged outpourings of rubbish.
I hope the clean up is successful and done quickly enough that it does not have a marked negative impact on the wonderful opening Sunset Beach had planned regardless of whether Omega Protein is responsible. Several eye witnesses confirm their boats were in the area and it is a good demonstration that Omega Protein has organized clean up crews.
I find it amazing that someone who cannot spell, punctuate, capitalize or make a complete sentence has the nerve to call anyone else an idiot.
Washington, Churchill, Einstein and of course Dan Quayle who can’t spell, and I’m proud to be in there group. Furthermore I was an orphan at 5 living in the streets along with 45 thousand other children, I could not read or write until I was 12 years old and fought for my country in WW2 at 17, yes 17 so you can have the freedom to be ignorant with no common sense.
Here on the shore I was president of the Accomack Northampton housing rehabilitation for the poor; I was president of the AARP in N/H. I was also chairman of the Democratic Party here, I raised a lot of money for the Palace Theatre so yours and others can get free acting, dance, singing Free. What have you done? I suspect not a thing except put people down. I bet you’re part of the CBES.
I’ve just learned that a load of Bunker with no heads and no tails washed ashore, so Mr Supervisor explain that.
The state the county is currupt too the high heaven .
And Creed can you fix this lousy set up to write I can’t see what I’m writing it’s very light and letters very tiny.
Tony Sacco a WW2 Vetw ho cares for his country, State and County like no other.
Editor: Sorry Tony, I can’t change the editor…it is what it is. You may want to type into something like Microsoft Word or something first, and then copy and paste it in the comment blocks.
They stop oil production to raise oil prices at the pump, they don’t pick corn for the market so the price of corn goes up; its simple economics. My beach near Plantation Creek had the same spill of dead bunker and it stunk the whole place where we live. Look folks, the only people can stop this you, so vote to stop this practice. On another subject you see those freighters anchored in the Bay, they sit there for days and their litter is dumped in our bay and washes up on our beaches where our children swim–ok Supervisior I’m giving you something to look into, this is why I would have made a great Supervisior, I was trained for it in NYC.
Good luck folks, Tony Sacco
“It is really great to have a balanced report from an elected official who cares enough to get and present facts against emotional age-challenged outpourings of rubbish.”
+1.
+2
I mean corruption not rubbish Mr. Boyd, take your head out of the sand and grow-up, we the county have a giant problem in the bay and creeks, as Farm run off of chemicals is pouring into our waters, our fish inspectors turn their backs on the over catch of commercial fishing, Menhaden boats killing the one water fish that supplies the needed food source for fish of other varieties and attracts sport fishing tourists to fish our waters .
Another update on the killing of bunker; it’s now reported that tons of bunker with no tails or heads washed up on one of our beaches. This is further evidence that the nets were not broken to cause the spills but to raise the price of their catch (money-grubbing) bastards–where are you now CBES? Do you still want to side with the corrupt politicians that you put in Richmond that protect these boats that is the root of the problem? I don’t read this trash paper anymore issued by the CBES.
The Eastern Shore has to wake up and throw these politicians out for better Government in Virginia.
+ 3 encore ! and thank you, Wayne, for a wonderfully uplifting vintage holiday header helping to offset the unfortunate flood tide of beheaded fish.
The CBES is in the commercial fisher mans pocket. Not only is the catching of menhaden in the bay wrong but such rules as not allowing private individuals to catch rock fish between July and October wrong. A man can not even take his son in the bay and catch a rock fish but the commercial netters can catch thousands of pounds of rock fish. There are many rules that Virginia has concerning the Bay that is all in favor of the commercial waterman. They need to take a look at Maryland and Delaware Bay rules and be fair to all residents of Virginia.
The Eastern Shore was built off the backs of ‘Commercial Waterman’ and the seafood they brought to market. Take your boy out and catch several rock fish….then release them, either back into the bay, or into your cooler. The choice is yours.
Hi, I’m director of Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore. Usually we stay away from trying to combat comments that are as far from the truth as east is from west. But to set the record straight for newcomers regarding CBES you can learn all about our grassroots organization at http://www.cbes.org. The closest we have come to the menhaden fishery is to report on it in our monthly news journal ShoreLine. For historical background info on the fishery I’ve posted a ShoreLine article from 2011 on our website. http://cbes.org/shoreline-news.html [Bottom of Shoreline page on right under bird]
Since 1988 our mission has been dedicated to promoting balanced growth, enhancing the quality of life of all our citizens, and preserving our cultural and natural resources. CBES works to accomplish this through education, while promoting open government, and citizen engagement. If you should have any further questions about our Bi-County organization I can be reached at info@cbes.org
The CBES are the reason that Northampton is the poorest County in Virginia.
The CBES are responsible for the hospital leaving, now the elderly will die sooner.
The CBES are responsible that our schools are crumbling and low test marks.
The CBES are responsible for the continued reduction in our population in both counties.
The CBES are responsible for the reduction in home value, that will cause higher taxes to all those on SSI putting them in lower standard of living.
The CBES are for no growth, they help the farmers but for the rest of us we can go to hell
The CBES stand for nothing but the decline of Eastern Shore.
I’m Anthony Sacco, and I write this in disgust with the falsehood of the CBES, who lie to the people with the notion that they know it all and are smarter then the rest of us–well your nothing but a bunch of snobs that your ministers are ashamed of.
A Tribute to Sacco who: “fought for my country in WW2 at 17, yes 17 so you can have the freedom to be ignorant with no common sense.”
It’s is truly wonderful that at age 17 you found meaningful employment in the service of our nation so that you would be an enabler of the freedom to be ignorant with no common sense.
During my period of service, ignorance with no common sense were not tolerated. It was an expected reason for reprimand as it could easily result in avoidable accidents or loss of life. This was drilled into every new serviceman by Master Sergeants, who were your colleagues when you served. Every organization, whether business or military, today strives to eliminate the exercise of your beloved concept because it frequently leads to unnecessary expense and tragedy.
You have taken extreme advantage of the freedom you describe and continue to do so. It seems you are a perfect challenged senior example of that concept.
NOTE: THIS IS THE LAST COMMENT ON THIS THREAD, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT A MENHADEN SPILL. IT IS NOW CLOSED TO COMMENT. SORRY.
R .M., Bravo, your comment is the example of what’s wrong with this Country, State and County, and yes I was ignorant to think I put my young life in harms way so people like you and other CBES to have the freedom to degrade yourselves in the presence of God.
Yes I am the antagonist. Our country would not have it’s freedom from King George 11 (the lion king) if it were not those Patriots that continue to criticize the Red Coats and start a Revolution, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do for our depressed County, like loosing over 100 business with the “No Growth” platform in your agenda.
If I had good common sense I would not have moved here 27 years ago when it was Gods Land until you and your narrow minded CBES is dragging Gods Land into Hell. God help you all.
Look, this writer Anthony Sacco will no longer involve himself to read or answer the comments of a bunch of Nincompoops.
The continuing defamatory statements by a Mr Sacco directed at a well-regarded community organization, its officers and its members, are now bordering on libel. The comments are no longer opinions, but falsehoods stated as true facts, albeit, with no supporting details, and they are intended to damage the reputation of the organization and its officers. The Mirror needs to consider its complicity by continuing to publish Mr Sacco’s comments.
On the other hand, if these comments reflect a non compos mentis situation, likened to those ranting souls standing on street corners screaming into the universe, then the kindest thing for the Mirror to do would be to refrain from exposing the writer and his family to any more community embarrassment, by declining to publish further defamatory statements by Mr Sacco.
The Cape Charles Mirror is agnostic to the arguments; we understand there are no universal views, no privileged stances, and merely multiple points of view. Ms. Boza and Mr. Myers have provided adequate counter points to Mr. Sacco’s statements. However, once a thread seems exhausted (as this one does here), and everyone has had a say, we tend to kill it….that may be the case here.