Fishing Limits Raise Hard Questions for Maryland Company
2020-02-21
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1American George Ball thinks he has one of the best-paying jobs available in the Chesapeake Bay area.
2The Chesapeake Bay stretches over 300 kilometers from Maryland to southeastern Virginia before its waters finally reach the Atlantic Ocean.
3George Ball catches a fish called the Atlantic menhaden.
4Ball says that, in the area where he lives, there are not too many good jobs like his.
5His ancestors also were fisherman, so he does not want to change jobs.
6"Starting over would be treacherous," he told The Associated Press.
7Ball works for a business called Omega Protein.
8It processes his menhaden catch to make fish oil pills and feed for farm-raised salmon.
9But the company is facing increasing restrictions on fishing.
10Critics say it could be harming the Chesapeake Bay by overfishing.
11Last year, Omega Protein caught 30 percent more fish than legal catch limits in the Chesapeake.
12As a result, the federal government is threatening to place a temporary ban on menhaden fishing in Virginia's waters.
13The Marine Stewardship Council, a not-for-profit environmental group, is reconsidering the company's certification for sustainability.
14Environmental groups, sport fisherman and some state lawmakers are calling for restrictions on the company's fishing operations.
15The harvest limit that Omega Protein did not obey was put in place to protect the Chesapeake Bay area.
16The bay is America's largest estuary, a place where fresh water and sea water mix.
17Many animals, including striped bass and humpback whales, depend on the Atlantic menhaden for food.
18The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission sets rules for fishing.
19The group set the fishing limits as a precautionary measure while it learns more about the menhaden population.
20Omega Protein has promised to obey the catch limits in the future.
21But it also says there is no scientific evidence that the fish are being overharvested or that the area is being harmed.
22Omega Protein is important to the local economy.
23A 2017 study found that the business added $88 million to the state's economy.
24It also said that the company's closure would cut the local county's earnings by 14 percent and employment by eight percent.
25Years ago, a large number of companies processed fish oil and crushed fish meal.
26Today, Omega Protein is the last of its kind in the area.
27Its survival today depends on manufacturing fish meal for farmed fish and fish oil, which is rich with omega-3 fatty acids.
28Environmentalists argue that omega-3 fatty acids can be found in simple plants such as algae.
29They also say farmed fish can be fed other foods.
30State Senator Bill DeSteph has proposed a bill that would ban menhaden fishing in the Chesapeake.
31The lawmaker says he wants fishing to be done in ocean waters instead of the bay.
32DeSteph is a member of President Donald Trump's Republican Party.
33But Monty Deihl, an official for Omega Protein, says the open sea is often too dangerous.
34Deihl noted fishing boats work closely together and that difficult sea conditions make the work dangerous.
35He added that 45 percent of the company's fishing was done in the bay because of poor weather conditions in the ocean.
36George Ball, who is 54 years old, said he does not want to leave the work of his father, grandfather and many of his brothers.
37"I'm the only income in my house, and I got custody of my 8-year-old granddaughter," Ball said.
38"It makes all the difference in the world for me to be on the water," he added.
39I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1American George Ball thinks he has one of the best-paying jobs available in the Chesapeake Bay area. 2The Chesapeake Bay stretches over 300 kilometers from Maryland to southeastern Virginia before its waters finally reach the Atlantic Ocean. 3George Ball catches a fish called the Atlantic menhaden. Ball says that, in the area where he lives, there are not too many good jobs like his. His ancestors also were fisherman, so he does not want to change jobs. "Starting over would be treacherous," he told The Associated Press. 4Ball works for a business called Omega Protein. It processes his menhaden catch to make fish oil pills and feed for farm-raised salmon. But the company is facing increasing restrictions on fishing. Critics say it could be harming the Chesapeake Bay by overfishing. 5Last year, Omega Protein caught 30 percent more fish than legal catch limits in the Chesapeake. As a result, the federal government is threatening to place a temporary ban on menhaden fishing in Virginia's waters. 6The Marine Stewardship Council, a not-for-profit environmental group, is reconsidering the company's certification for sustainability. Environmental groups, sport fisherman and some state lawmakers are calling for restrictions on the company's fishing operations. 7The harvest limit that Omega Protein did not obey was put in place to protect the Chesapeake Bay area. The bay is America's largest estuary, a place where fresh water and sea water mix. Many animals, including striped bass and humpback whales, depend on the Atlantic menhaden for food. 8The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission sets rules for fishing. The group set the fishing limits as a precautionary measure while it learns more about the menhaden population. 9Omega Protein has promised to obey the catch limits in the future. But it also says there is no scientific evidence that the fish are being overharvested or that the area is being harmed. 10Omega Protein is important to the local economy. A 2017 study found that the business added $88 million to the state's economy. It also said that the company's closure would cut the local county's earnings by 14 percent and employment by eight percent. 11Years ago, a large number of companies processed fish oil and crushed fish meal. Today, Omega Protein is the last of its kind in the area. Its survival today depends on manufacturing fish meal for farmed fish and fish oil, which is rich with omega-3 fatty acids. 12Environmentalists argue that omega-3 fatty acids can be found in simple plants such as algae. They also say farmed fish can be fed other foods. 13State Senator Bill DeSteph has proposed a bill that would ban menhaden fishing in the Chesapeake. The lawmaker says he wants fishing to be done in ocean waters instead of the bay. DeSteph is a member of President Donald Trump's Republican Party. 14But Monty Deihl, an official for Omega Protein, says the open sea is often too dangerous. Deihl noted fishing boats work closely together and that difficult sea conditions make the work dangerous. He added that 45 percent of the company's fishing was done in the bay because of poor weather conditions in the ocean. 15George Ball, who is 54 years old, said he does not want to leave the work of his father, grandfather and many of his brothers. 16"I'm the only income in my house, and I got custody of my 8-year-old granddaughter," Ball said. "It makes all the difference in the world for me to be on the water," he added. 17I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 18Ben Finley reported this story for The Associated Press. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 19___________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21treacherous - adj. very dangerous and difficult to deal with 22pill - n. a small medicinal or dietary preparation 23certification - n. official approval of something 24sustainability - n. the ability of some product or resource to be used over a long period of time without being used up 25precautionary - adj. something that is done to prevent possible harm in the future 26income - n. earnings 27custody - n. the legal right to take care of the child