Legislation aims to stop menhaden reduction fishing, study population concerns

By: Shannon Heckt

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: January 26, 2026

Words: 585

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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Menhaden, the controversial oily fish, are making waves early in the General Assembly legislative session.

Three bills have been filed that would curb menhaden catches by the only reduction fishery allowed in the Chesapeake Bay and to study the population, which some conservation groups have said is declining in the Bay and spurring suffering among other species.

Ocean Harvesters, which contracts with Omega Protein, is a purse seine reduction fishery in Reedville, Virginia. They …

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