CHAPTER 284
An Act to direct the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to develop plans for studying the ecology, fishery impacts, and economic importance of menhaden populations in the waters of the Commonwealth; report.
[S 1388]
Approved March 22, 2023
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. That the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) shall develop plans for studying the ecology, fishery impacts, and economic importance of menhaden populations in the waters of the Commonwealth. Such plans shall (i) include anticipated methodologies, timelines, and costs; (ii) identify relevant stakeholders for participation; and (iii) state whether VIMS is the most appropriate entity to perform the study. In developing the plans, VIMS shall collaborate with and receive input from the Menhaden Management Advisory Committee established in § 28.2-208.2 of the Code of Virginia and the Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and other relevant stakeholders.
VIMS shall, no later than September 1, 2023, provide a report on its findings to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources.