I was going to make this just an update but you have to read this article that Steve linked in earlier. I don’t know the particulars of the bill that Jackson submitted or why he is interested in menhaden fishing but the reaction of the other Delegate is just incredible. I’d be disappointed if my teenager behaved like that, let alone a state delegate. I would point out to the good delegate that 50% of the kids in some of our schools are on free and reduced lunches…..
UPDATE: More linkage here: http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/012011/01152011/600933 Interesting quote from Jackson in this article: “Albert should look out for his constituents who enjoy sport fishing in the Rappahannock River,” Miller said, after being told about Pollard’s VRE retaliation. “There’s not fish to catch.”
UPDATE 2: Jackson offers some insight down in the comments. Good stuff. Thanks to Jackson for taking the time out of what must be a very busy GA schedule.
January 18, 2011 at 9:27 am
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/012011/01152011/600933
January 18, 2011 at 10:43 am
Well, considering Delegate Torian is closer to Northern Neck…and sits on Agriculture Committee, we’ll see how far this one goes.
January 18, 2011 at 12:19 pm
This is an interesting situation. Having fished the Bay a number of times for rockfish, and having friends who live on or close to the bay who fish the bay on a regular basis, the menhaden issue goes way back.
It’s a classic case of commercial interests vs the weekend fisherman. And of course the menhaden, a bait fish that is a vital part of the overall health of the bay, is, depending on what side you believe, is either in great shape or in poor shape.
As for the tit for tat playing out between Jackson and Pollard, well that’s what makes politics so fun to watch.
January 18, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Steve and Andy, thanks to a great l.a. working for me here in Richmond I was informed about this blog thread.
Forgive me ahead of time if I dont respond to any questions or comments following this post as I may not have the time to get back to this blog anytime soon. (the reason politicians are always advised not to participate in blog discussions.)
The natural resources of this Commonwealth are very important to ALL Virginians. Not just those in coastal or rural areas. I have numerous constituants who fish, recreate, and own second homes in the Northern Neck. I also have friends who live in the Northern Neck and are constituants of Del. Pollard. They have told me that they are very concerned about the impact from the factory fishing operation of Omega Protein.
The Menhaden fishery is the only commercially harvested salt water fish that is not regulated by the VMRC (Virginia Marine Resource Commission). Can you guys guess who regulates the menhaden? You guessed it, its us members of the General Assembly.
The accusation of Del. Pollard that I am killing jobs in the Northern Neck is not the full story. Omega Protein (a Texas based factory fishing operation) does provide many good paying jobs in the Northern Neck. However sports fishing and eco-tourism support many jobs in the Northern Neck as well. If this unchecked factory fishing operation collapses the menhaden population in the Rappahannock and the Bay, not only will Omega Protein pull up operations and go back to Texas. But the sportsfishing industry (and the jobs it supports) will collapse also.
History has proven time and time again that unregulated factory fishing on many marine species have eventually led to that species collapse.
The Menhaden are THE MOST IMPORTANT fish in the bay. They are a filter fish and they are the primary food source for many of the big game sports fish. Again, sportsfishing provides many of the employment opportunities in the region.
As for Mr. Beverage’s comments, yes we will see how far this one goes. Probably not far, as he was insinuating. However I have not in the past nor will I in the future, not submit good ideas for my community or the Commonwealth based on the probability that the legislation may not get out of a committee.
Steve, you are correct. My bill was not on the City Councils legislative agenda. But this legislation is for good policy that will protect resources that belong to all Virginians – not just Omega Protein. In the future I would like submit more legislation that would place this fishery under the eye of the VMRC. Although that may be harder than passing this bill.
January 18, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Citizen of Manassas, I am not going to go down to his level. There may be some tit, just no tat from me. I am not doing this to try and embarass Del. Pollard. I am doing this because I believe it is good policy for a very important Virginia resource.
We all know charging Manassas and Manassas Park residents an extra dollar to ride VRE is not good policy. Del. Pollard knows this as well.
January 18, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Thanks for your answer Jackson and thank Jessica as well!
January 18, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Jackson, thank you for your informative
postings. They, and some additional reading
on the topic, have expanded my knowledge
of the menhaden fishing issue and why you
introduced the bill. It apparently has quite
a history and some strong views on both sides.
Trust though that you understand some of us
being surprised by the statements of
Delegate Pollard, related to Manassas and the VRE,
on an item we knew nothing about.
January 18, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Steve, its my pleasure to put forward some info on the subject.
Del. Pollard is a talented legislator who is trying to confuse the issue with a (pardon the pun) red hering. The facts to the menhaden fishery issue in our Commonwealth are not used when it comes to the public policy that seems to protect Omega Protein more than the resource itself.
I hold no animosity to Del. Pollard, we just disagree with how this resource should be managed.
An interesting note on this issue and how it might affect my constituants:
One of my favorite passtimes is to pick and eat blue crabs while watching the Redskins. I spoke with a scientist from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. I was advised that they have some evidence that striped bass have changed their eating habits and have turned from gorging themselves on menhaden (due to a decline in its availability) to preying on young blue crabs.
Again, I emphasize the word ‘evidence’ not proof, but it may be one of many reasons why we have seen declines in blue crab populations in past years.
January 18, 2011 at 4:44 pm
I think you’re being generous Jackson and a good representative of how Manassas conducts her politics.
January 18, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Very good constituent communication here by Jackson.
January 18, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Jackson,
I don’t blame you for not wanting to go to his level, but it still is interesting to see on the local level how politics work, and how a body elected by the Citizens is supposed to work, but often times does not.
January 22, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Well it appears Jackson’s bill went down in flames.
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=600&sid=2244468