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HB 2713

Atlantic menhaden; Marine Resources Commission, et al., to study ecology, fishery impacts, etc.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Milde

Virginia study bill directs Marine Resources Commission to assess Atlantic menhaden ecology and fishery impacts to inform future management and regulatory decisions.

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Bill Summary · HB 2713

Legislative bill overview

HB 2713 directs Virginia's Marine Resources Commission and other state agencies to conduct a comprehensive study of Atlantic menhaden ecology, current and historical fishery impacts, and management practices. The study would examine the species' role in the ecosystem and evaluate whether current fishing regulations adequately protect the resource.

Why is this important

Atlantic menhaden is a commercially and ecologically significant fish species in Virginia waters, serving as both a food source for larger fish and a target of industrial fishing operations. Understanding its ecology and fishery impacts directly influences future management decisions that affect both the fishing industry and ecosystem health in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastal regions.

Potential points of contention

  • Industry vs. conservation balance: Commercial fishing interests may resist restrictions if the study concludes current harvest levels are unsustainable, while environmental groups may push for stricter protections
  • Funding and timeline: The bill requires agency resources for a detailed study with unclear completion deadlines, potentially delaying management decisions
  • Regulatory outcomes: Uncertainty about whether study findings will lead to binding policy changes or merely serve as advisory guidance could affect stakeholder buy-in

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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