RICHMOND, Va. — January 29, 2013 — Bills addressing the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) recommendations for regulating the menhaden industry are moving through the General Assembly with no objections.
As introduced by Del. Edward T. Scott of Culpeper, House Bill 2254 establishes total allowable landings of 144,272.84 metric tons per year for Atlantic menhaden landed in Virginia by the purse seine menhaden reduction fishery, the purse seine menhaden bait fishery, and other menhaden bait fisheries.
The annual harvest cap for the reduction fishery in Reedville will be 87,216 metric tons, subject to annual adjustments for under-harvests or over-harvests. The total allowable landings represents a 20% reduction from the average 2009, 2010 and 2011 landings, as mandated by the ASMFC.
Last Thursday, HB 2254 was recommended by the Chesapeake subcommittee of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by a 5-0 vote.
A similar bill introduced by Sen. Richard H. Stuart of Montross, SB 1291, was reported last Thursday from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by a 15-0 vote. During the Senate constitutional reading on Monday, it received a vote of confidence, 39-0.
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