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Saxton Introduces Menhaden Bill

Press Release

Date: Oct. 22, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Animals and Wildlife


Saxton Introduces Menhaden Bill

Fish is an important part of gamefish industry

Congressman Jim Saxton has introduced new legislation to bolster the stocks of a key forage fish that many other fish and marine animals rely upon as prey.

"Menhaden are an important part of the food chain," Saxton said. "It is strongly suspected that they are a primary food source of gamefish that are crucial to Jersey Shore tourism. I'm not telling fishermen anything they don't know. What's good for menhaden is good for the stripers and the blues."

Menhaden stock appears to be on the decline, prompting concern from the fish and wildlife community. They are believed to be a food source for ospreys, loons seals, whales and other marine life that live or visit the Jersey coastal areas and the East Coast, fish such as weakfish and Spanish mackerel. Because menhaden themselves feed on rotting sea vegetation and plankton, they have a positive effect on water quality.

Saxton's bill, H.R. 3840, is modeled after the successful Atlantic Striped Bass Act, which Saxton and others have supported and renewed since the 1980s.

H.R. 3840:

* establishes a moratorium on commercial Atlantic menhaden fishing for reduction purposes in Atlantic coastal waters until a scientifically-determined catch level can be established that also considers the role of menhaden in the ecosystem.
* prohibits commercial Atlantic menhaden fishing for reduction purposes in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone that extends 200 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from the coast.

The bill also directs the Secretaries of the Departments of Interior and Commerce to conduct annual stock assessments, and investigations into population dips and the impact of menhaden on water quality. The bill authorizes a total of up to $1.05 million to pay for the studies.

"Menhaden may not be the daily special at a New Jersey diner, but to a bluefish or striped bass, they're meat and potatoes," Saxton said.

A copy of the bill is available by calling (609) 261-5801.


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