The Most Important Fish

CBF President Will Baker gets the latest on menhaden from Maryland Fisheries Scientist Allison Colden. Menhaden management is absolutely critical for the future of the Chesapeake Bay. If you are concerned about the levels of menhaden, having forage species available, and the management of menhaden by politicians, not scientists, find out about the public hearings coming up this fall which will influence the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's decision making on the future of Chesapeake menhaden. Virginia listeners—let your elected officials know you are concerned about the plight of menhaden and their ability to be part of the great Chesapeake Bay system, and encourage conservation first. Photo courtesy Allison Colden PROGRAM NOTES 01:54 What it means to be "the most important fish in the sea" 03:28 What the industrial menhaden fishery looks like 06:10 Menhaden for bait 07:00 Ecological concerns 13:05 Fishery management is making a difference, now the industry is pushing back 15:13 The importance of small menhaden in the Chesapeake nursery vs. large menhaden in the ocean 16:40 Amendment 3 and the scientific principal of ecological reference points 18:30 Menhaden as filter feeders: transforming algae into energy for larger fish 21:00 What does the loss of menhaden as forage fish mean for the great Chesapeake striped bass?