Stripers Forever-while our focused mission is make striped bass a game fish,SFhas consistently supported efforts to control the harvest of menhaden in Chesapeake Bay. Menhaden are a critically important food for stripers as well as filter feeders that play a role in cleaning the waters of the Bay. Last year the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission, a 15-state commission that regulates shared fisheries on the East Coast, mandated that Virginia implement a harvest cap on their landings of menhaden. Many observers feel that the cap is far too generous to be of any real value, but it is an attempt to begin exerting at least some control on the harvest of this forage fish that is so vital to striped bass. Virginia's legislature has refused to act on this regulation and leadership is needed from Governor Tim Kaine to make it happen. All who love striped bass have a stake in this issue, and tourism angling is a big business for VA. So we are asking our members to write Governor Kaine today. Here is his contact information, including an email contact link for Virginia residents. If you are using the email contact form, cut and paste the body of the letter into the message section of the form. Otherwise you can cut and paste the sample letter into a Word document and send it by regular USPS mail.Governor Tim KainePatrick Henry Building 3rd Floor 1111 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 Phone: (804) 786-2211 Fax: (804) 371-6351http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfmSample letter -Governor Tim Kaine Patrick Henry Building 3rd Floor 1111 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219Dear Governor Kaine: I fish for striped bass, and I know the value that menhaden have for this very popular fishery, as well as to other fish and wildlife. Menhaden are also important living filters for Chesapeake Bay waters. I urge you to act as soon as possible to implement the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) decision to cap the industrial harvest of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay.~ The cap, which is based on sound science, will maintain the catch at recent levels while the status of menhaden's ecological role is examined.~ This is certainly a reasonable precautionary measure.~ Please act today. Sincerely,