MNN - Mother Nature Network

detritus (decomposition products). And as such, has the potential to remove up to 25% of the excess nitrogen in the Bay. Unfortunately, this beautiful little baitfish has come under unrelenting, industrial fishing pressure, from heavily subsidized Omega Protein of Reedville, Virginia. To the point that it can not sustain the economically valuable blue fin tuna populations, which have depended on this menhaden biomass for hundreds of thousands of years. To the point that the menhaden is unable to fulfill its filter functions in the Bay. For what? The lowly menhaden is used in the production of Rustoleum. And as for fishmeal for chickens and hogs. The ironic thing is that Omega Protein, until 2007, was 58% owned by George H W Bush’s Zapata Oil Company. Did you know that Zapata Oil, unable to compete with OPEC super tankers, in the sixties and seventies, instead used their Gulf of Mexico oil platforms as custom free transfer stations for South American cocaine? GHW BUSH IS BEHIND THE MENHADEN SLAUGHTER The launches and helicopters returning from Zapata’s oil platforms, didn’t have to clear customs when returning to the USA. Search: Zapata+Cocaine+Bush+CIA and you will be amazed!, Furthermore, Omega Protein has received, in the past twelve years, at least $42 million in (NOAA) federal loan guarantees for plant construction and purse seine boat refurbishing. Enough is enough! Now is the time for the governor of Virginia and the state legislature to send a message to the Bush family: You have used Zapata and Omega Protein to launder your drug money. And used millions from NOAA to further subsidize Omega Protein. Well, we are going to, however belatedly, remove your business partners at Omega Protein from our state waters. What ever our state loses in Reedville, will be repaid a hundred times over in the striped bass fishery and in the fall run of medium and giant blue fin tuna and in improved Chesapeake Bay water quality. George Meredith MD Virginia Beach