....and thanks for any support y'all provided!!

Dear John,
Thank you!
Starting over a year ago, CBF members embraced menhaden-a forage fish that's vital to the Bay's
ecosystem and Virginia's economy-as a resource worth fighting for. You sent more than 4,000 letters
into the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, testified at local hearings, wrote letters to
the editor, signed and forwarded petitions, wrote the Governor, visited your state senator and
delegate and took dozens of other advocacy actions on behalf of menhaden.
Yesterday, your efforts paid off.
Senator Richard Stuart's SB1291 sailed through the Senate yesterday. The House version, Delegate Ed
Scott's HB 2254, which incorporates Delegate Lee Ware and Delegate Barry Knight's HB 1840, passed
out of committee yesterday morning. HB2254 now heads to the House floor. Both the House and Senate
versions bring Virginia into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
menhaden management plan and put into place these key provisions:
" A Virginia total allowable catch of approximately 145,273 metric tons.
" A 20 percent reduction in the current Chesapeake Bay harvest cap to 87,216 metric tons.
" A defined allocation to the reduction and bait fisheries and a specified by-catch allowance.
We are one step closer to managing menhaden sustainably and having a bill for Governor McDonnell to
sign. This historic legislation would not have gotten this far without your support-you helped
legislators become more fully informed on this issue-and they've responded in kind.
Thank you again for being vocal and engaged advocates.
Warmly,

Ann Jurczyk and Chris Moore
Virginia Outreach/Advocacy Manager and Hampton Roads Senior Scientist
Chesapeake Bay Foundation


Salmonbait

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**Those who think they can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government
take care of them better take a closer look at the American Indian.**