HB 19

Abstract

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, MarineResources Commission; study of ecology, fishery impacts, and economicimportance of Atlantic menhaden; report. Directs the VirginiaInstitute of Marine Science (VIMS) in collaboration with the MarineResources Commission and certain stakeholders, as provided in thebill, to conduct a three-year study of the ecology, fishery impacts,and economic importance of the Atlantic menhaden population in thewaters of the Commonwealth. The bill requires VIMS to provide a reporton its findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the SenateCommittee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources andthe House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resourcesand the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources no later thanOctober 1, 2027.