Brandy L. Battle

The commission addressed several projects, including the approval of dredging and construction activities such as the Winter Harbor project, bridge replacements in Bristol, and shoreline stabilization efforts in Essex and Henrico Counties. Additionally, the commission reviewed and approved a raw water intake structure for Caroline County, despite opposition from various tribal and environmental groups. Technical discussions centered on salinity impacts, protective screen mesh requirements for intake structures, and time-of-year restrictions to safeguard fish spawning runs and freshwater muscle populations.

The meeting agenda includes a budget review and an update on the Waterman's Apprentice Program. The Board will review two project applications: a study on the relative abundance of young-of-year American eel in Virginia tributaries and a virtual reality project focused on Virginia's seafood industry. Additionally, there will be a presentation from the Virginia Marine Products Board.

The committee held a meeting to review financial reports and discuss various fishing event applications. Key discussion topics included the deferral of several event applications, presentations from returning fishing event organizers regarding their community outreach efforts, and project status updates from the Matthews Land Conservancy, specifically focusing on waterfront access site maintenance, capital improvements, and educational programming. The committee also conducted a bulk vote to approve several returning fishing event applications.

This draft strategic plan outlines the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's vision for sustainably managing Atlantic coastal fisheries. It addresses key driving forces impacting fisheries management, such as resource pressure, scientific scrutiny, legislative changes, budget constraints, ecosystem functions, and climate change. The plan is structured around seven main goals: rebuilding and promoting fisheries, providing scientific foundations for management, ensuring compliance, protecting fish habitats, strengthening stakeholder support, advancing legislative policy, and ensuring fiscal stability and efficient administration.

The Commission addressed several agenda items, including the denial of a petition for a temporary moratorium on purse-seine reduction fishing for menhaden. They approved funding for Waterway Maintenance Fund applications for the Eastern Shore and the Middle Peninsula. Additionally, several permit requests were reviewed and approved, including bulkhead installations, pier construction, and living shoreline projects. A public hearing was held regarding amendments to recreational management measures for black sea bass, and the Commission established size limits, quotas, and seasonal closures for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. License status requests were also addressed, including an exception for a Commercial Fisherman Registration License.