Virginia’s 2024 General Assembly Bill 19 (HB19) directs the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to conduct a three-year study of the Atlantic menhaden population.
The study will include:
The seasonal abundance of Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay.
The movement rates of Atlantic menhaden between the Atlantic coast and the Chesapeake Bay
The impacts of predator demand and consumption of Atlantic menhaden on the Atlantic menhaden population.
The ecology, fishery impacts, and economic importance of the Atlantic menhaden population.
The bill requires the Department to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and Finance and Appropriations.
Other bills related to menhaden in Virginia’s 2024 session include:
HB1381: Regulates the management of menhaden
HB1448: Requires the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to adopt regulations necessary to manage Atlantic menhaden
Leave a Reply