Action Alert ??? Save Atlantic Menhaden!??
??
The Atlantic menhaden is a critical piece of our Bay ecosystem. Often referred to as the ???most important fish in the sea,??? menhaden are a primary food source for other important Bay species. Menhaden also help improve water quality by filtering excess nutrients from the water as they feed.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will soon vote on a measure that will help menhaden stocks recover to benefit the creatures, people, and health of Narragansett Bay. The measure is called Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. The vote is scheduled for November 13-14 in Maryland. Your support is critical! The following information is what you need to know:
Ecological Reference Points
Five options are being presented for menhaden management. Save The Bay strongly supports Reference Point Option E, which would immediately implement scientifically accepted ecological reference points that take into account the important role menhaden play as a food source and as filter feeders. This will allow menhaden populations to recover along the Atlantic coast, including Narragansett Bay and other parts of New England. Many menhaden predators, such as bluefish and striped bass, are in decline, and Option E will provide more menhaden as a food source for these key species in and around our waters.
“Option E” is a win for fish, fishermen and the Narragansett Bay community
More menhaden means more striped bass, bluefish, humpback whales and osprey.
A thriving recreational fishery creates jobs ??? tackle shops, outfitters, charter boats, restaurants and hotels ??? and attracts residents and visitors to Rhode Island.
Menhaden filter water by removing excess nitrogen as filter feeders ??? they clean our Bay!
Conserving menhaden benefits all Rhode Islanders, but costs taxpayers nothing.
Save The Bay Members:??Make Your Voice Heard!Attend Rhode Island???s Public Hearing????? Wednesday, Oct 4, 2017 at 6 p.m.?? Corless Auditorium, URI Bay Campus ??? 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI
Urge RI???s Commissioners to VOTE YES on ???Reference Point Option E??? for greater protection of menhaden.
Use the information above to submit written comments to ASMFC ??? put Rhode Island???s position on the record!
Send comments to comments@asmfc.org by 5pm on October 20.
For more information, visit http://www.asmfc.org/species/atlantic-menhaden
Save The Bay Contact: Topher Hamblett, Director of Advocacy, thamblett@savebay.org or 401-272-3540 ext. 119