Researchers conducted a study in mid-June at Mobjack Bay, an inlet at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay, to observe the osprey population. They checked 84 nests and were disappointed to find only three young ospreys. This is the lowest reproductive number recorded in over 50 years of monitoring by scientists at the College of William & Mary. The decline in breeding success is believed to be due to the depletion of the osprey’s main food source, Atlantic menhaden, throughout the bay.
Atlantic menhaden, which are small silvery fish, are extremely important for the ecosystem of coastal waters along the Eastern Seaboard. They serve as a vital food source for larger fish, marine mammals, and birds. Additionally, they have high nutritional value, containing Omega-3 fatty acids, and they help filter ocean water by consuming plankton. However, menhaden are heavily harvested for commercial purposes, such as bait for crabs and lobsters, and for fish oil and fish meal production.
Despite concerns about the declining osprey population and the ecological impact of menhaden harvesting, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission increased the allowable catch of menhaden to 233,550 metric tons for the next two years. The commission argues that this new quota offers additional fishing opportunities while minimizing damage to the fish’s ecosystem. They state that there is currently no evidence of overfishing based on their measurement of “ecological reference points” that consider the fish’s predators and prey.
Critics of the commission believe that the large-scale removal of menhaden from the Chesapeake Bay is negatively affecting the ecosystem and the survival of species like ospreys and striped bass. They argue that the Virginia-based menhaden fishery is overfishing the stock and causing a decline in both menhaden and the species that depend on them.
In May, a group of recreational fishermen from Maryland sued the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, claiming it contributed to the decline of menhaden in and around Chesapeake Bay. They argue that the commission’s decision is harmful to the recreational fishing industry and the overall economy. The group seeks a hearing on the matter in September.
Omega Protein, a company based in Reedville, Va., defends the commission’s stance and believes that menhaden are not overfished. They claim that the current limit on menhaden catch in the Chesapeake Bay is one of the lowest in history and that there is no scientific evidence supporting claims of local depletion. They also argue that the decline of striped bass is due to excessive recreational fishing rather than a lack of food sources like menhaden.
Paul Eidman, founder of Menhaden Defenders, criticizes Omega Protein for using industrial techniques to harvest menhaden in unsustainable quantities. He believes that these practices are detrimental to other species and the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. Eidman suggests that Omega Protein should fish outside the bay to allow stocks of menhaden and other fish to recover from years of overfishing.
While menhaden populations have increased outside the Chesapeake Bay since conservation measures were implemented in 2012, the reproductive success of ospreys in Mobjack Bay remains alarmingly low. The ratio of young ospreys per nest is currently at 0.03, well below the rate necessary for the population to sustain itself. This decline follows a series of decreasing reproductive rates over the years.
In conclusion, the decline in the osprey population and the depletion of Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay raise concerns about the overall health of the ecosystem. The debate surrounding menhaden harvesting and its impact on various species continues, with scientific research and legal actions being pursued to address the issue.
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