Bill to eliminate the practice of purse seining of menhaden in both federal and state

[BoundForGlory]

I received this from Stripers forever and thought that as I read the post of you guys catching Bluefin off NC, that Bluefin also need the Menhaden-Bunker and if we all let our Congressmen/women know our position we might actually get heard.

"Stripers Forever Members - striped bass forage has always been of concern to our organization. For several years now, there has been an ongoing controversy about the role of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. We are sending this message to you in support of the Menhaden Restoration Group, a group that is focusing its attention on restoring and protecting the populations of menhaden found in our coastal waters.
~
Recent studies have indicated that the availability of menhaden is critical to the sustainability of striped bass. There are indications that the abundance of menhaden has decreased to the point where their role as forage and filter feeder is not being fulfilled. The ASMFC has not responded to public concerns in a meaningful fashion, and show no signs of changing their position that the menhaden stocks are not overfished and that overfishing is not occurring.
~Because of the lack of effective management of~this critical resource, United States Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (Maryland) has introduced HR3841. This bill proposes to eliminate the practice of purse seining of menhaden in both federal and state waters for reduction purposes. The bill is straight-forward and has no apparent loopholes. We believe our membership should e-mail their respective legislators in support of this measure as the most practical resolution of a very serious situation.
Everyone can find and e-mail their congressperson by going to

https://forms.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep

Your message could be as simple as this (just copy and paste the message), “Dear Congressperson (their name) my name is (your name) and I live in your congressional district. Striped bass and the marine environment are very important to me. Menhaden are the number one forage of the striped bass, plus they are an important filter feeder. I believe that fishery managers have not done nearly enough to conserve menhaden stocks, and I therefore urge you to become a cosponsor of HR3841, a bill that would eliminate the practice of purse seining menhaden for reduction purposes. Please let me know how you have decided to act on this matter. (Your name again and e-mail address)”

[fishinmagician_IV]

My letter to Virgil Goode Jr. (again! Maybe someday someone will listen) was sent to stop the rape of the bay and ocean of this fish so vital in the filter process.
Thanks!

[BoundForGlory]

Thanks Fishinmagician for your response and letter to your representative!

What's the point of building fish stocks if they have nothing to eat? Menhaden-Bunker are one of the most important fish out there and a food source for most predator fish. So why not offer a little help here to give this fish a little protection?

[fishskipper]

Message sent to my Rep..... Come on SFC.. We are talking about purse seining not gill netting for some bait here!

[Lured Away]

Thanks. Done and done.

Does anyone know the status? It appears it was introduced and then referred to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee.

Wow searched further - take a look at this link and all the Introduced Measures Pending Committee Consideration. I wonder how long before it is Considered?

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpd?id=HSII

[BoundForGlory]

As I was trying to find out more about this Bill I did find that Saxton of NJ introduced a similar Bill. Here's a link;

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/n...-7409569c.html

[Ed k]

Sent mine to Congressman Forbes.