Gerald Winegrad: Help save osprey chicks from starving | COMMENTARY

A commentary by Gerald Winegrad urges public support for major restrictions on Virginia’s industrial menhaden reduction fishery, arguing it is contributing to starvation among osprey chicks in higher-salinity “bay country” waters. The piece says hearings along the Atlantic coast will gather input on reducing the harvest of Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake by as much as 50% and spreading catches more evenly across the season. Virginia permits large ocean purse seine vessels that scoop entire schools after scouts locate them; Maryland banned similar methods decades ago. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will consider changes at its November meeting after public comment. Winegrad cites Omega Protein’s quota history and notes Cooke Inc. bought Omega Protein in 2017 for $500 million.