Dear President Trump,

We loved your Truth Social post about menhaden fishing in Virginia

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114802338481041350

And therefore ask of you..........

We the people of Virginia are asking you and Secretary of Commerce, Honorable Howard Lutnick to sign an Executive Order to stop Cooke Seafood, a Canadian Company, from removing menhaden on an industrial scale from the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Waters.

Background. 

Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association (VSSA) Is a grassroots, 501 (c)3 non-profit organization in Virginia, we are dedicated to advocating for a healthy saltwater fishery and responsible management of our marine resources.Menhaden Position.  Our position on menhaden is that the massive menhaden reduction industry should be moved out of the bay until science can show it is not causing harm.  https://joinvssa.org/

Studies show that forage fish are more economically valuable when left in the water.  Foreign companies profit off of industrial fishing for U.S. forage fish (aka bait fish) undermining American businesses and workers.   By taking bold action to end industrial scale fishing for vulnerable bait fish, America can harness the full economic potential of our fisheries, create jobs, and secure a sustainable future for America's fishing industry and coastal communities. 

We continue to support the much smaller (American) Menhaden Bait industry, which helps crabbers and recreational anglers.

We also call on all politicians to stop taking donations from this Canadian owned company.

Finally, we call on the industry, local, state, and federal governments to actively support research on these critical forage fish.  Our efforts thus far have proven futile as Virginia continues to allow the industrial scale removal of menhaden which as resulted in a significant decline in the health and marine life in the Chesapeake Bay.

We are not asking to put anyone out of the job.  We are simply asking for responsible fishing moving this fishery out away from our local waters.  

Signed,

The People of Virginia