USA & beyond: Take Action: 24 Hours Left to Speak Up for Atlantic Menhaden

From: "Peter Baker, The Pew Charitable Trusts" <advocacyemail@pewtrusts.org>
Date: Apr 27, 2015 8:25 AM
Subject: Take Action: 24 Hours Left to Speak Up for Atlantic Menhaden

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Dear liz, Time is running out! There are only 24 hours left to urge East Coast managers to protect millions of Atlantic menhaden! Please ask the ASFMC to leave enough menhaden in the water for predators before making any changes to the coastwide fishing quota. -Peter Baker Driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems.

Environmental Initiatives Action Alert

Take Action: Protect Millions of Atlantic Menhaden and Their Predators Dear liz, Act now: Urge East Coast managers to protect millions of Atlantic menhaden! Atlantic menhaden are one of the most important fish on the Atlantic coast and feed a wide range of marine predators. They were once abundant from Maine to Florida but are now concentrated in the Chesapeake Bay region, where they are subject to intense industrial fishing pressure. They are ground up for fish meal and fertilizer or used for bait. Before considering any changes to the 2015 catch limit, managers need to address the impact that a catch increase would have on predators. At its May 5 meeting, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will decide whether to increase the 2015 catch limit for Atlantic menhaden. Please ask the ASFMC to ensure that there are enough menhaden for predators before making any changes to this limit! Menhaden provide food for many fish, such as striped bass and bluefish, as well as wildlife, including osprey and whales. These menhaden predators are important for recreational fishing and support lucrative businesses, but many are depleted. Over the years, anglers and environmental groups have worked together to protect menhaden because of their ecological value. The ASMFC needs to know that numerous people care about conservation of this forage fish and want the commission to leave millions of menhaden in the ocean this year, and in the future, to feed fish and other predators. Take action: Urge the ASMFC to protect menhaden and preserve their unique role in the East Coast's ocean ecosystems! Thanks! Peter Baker The Pew Charitable Trusts Share this on Facebook or Twitter Take Action Now!

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