There’s a great book on menhaden, its history, biology and current politics. It’s called The Most Important Fish in the Sea and it’s by Bruce Franklin. The Virginian-Pilot wrote a scathing editorial on the GA’s handling of this issue recently. Our own T-D Editorial board gave the GA a “thumbs down” on the same issue.

The Virginia Public Access Project makes it easy to find out who’s given what to politicians.

http://www.vpap.org/legislators

Then click on delegates (e.g. Albert Pollard), then “Money In” tab (pick your time frame).

As an example, below are the Omega Protein donations to Delegates on the Chesapeake Subcommittee of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources
This is the group (on the House side) that is supposedly “managing” Menhaden in Virginia waters.

Delegate 2009-2010 2006-2010

Beverly Sherwood $500 $500

R. Lee Ware $1000 $2500

Edward Scott $1250 $1250

Brenda Pogge $750 $750

Lynnwood Lewis $1000 $2000

David Bulova $500 $500

Luke Torian $250

Source: Virginia Public Access Project http://www.vpap.org/legislators?display=length_of_service

Contributions by Omega Protein’s lobbying firms are also relevant as well as “hospitality” provided.