Virginia, Maryland reach accord on menhaden

Virginia officials agreed this morning to impose a limit on the lucrative commercial harvest of menhaden, a small but important fish in the Chesapeake Bay food web.

In simultaneous press conferences at Sandy Point State Park and Virginia Beach, Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine reinforced the importance of the oily fish, which some environmental and fishing groups fear is being overharvested.

"This is a historic day," Mr. Ehrlich said. "You have all the relevant partners ... coming together to get it done."

Menhaden are small fish inedible to humans. But they serve as the preferred food for...