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SMAC discusses York River, Mobjack Bay rotation and Yankee Tank reopening; some harvesters urge more working effort
Summary
SMAC discussed returning the York River to a three‑year rotation paired with Mobjack Bay management that could include Yankee Tank, and harvesters urged concentrated working effort to clear dense orange sponge and algal mats that impede harvesting.
Staff presented a work‑group recommendation to put the York River back on a three‑year rotational schedule with a Mobjack Bay component and to consider adding Yankee Tank or adjacent Mobjack areas to strengthen the Mobjack rotation.
Several harvesters who spoke during the meeting said parts of the Yankee Tank and nearby Mobjack areas are covered with orange sponge and algal mats that make harvest difficult; they described the substrate as ‘‘matted’’ and said the only reliable way to clear some areas is repeated effort: catch the material, carry it off the rock and dump it in deeper water so the rock can be worked. One harvester told the committee that a few boats working intensively could improve accessibility and that limited concurrent openings (Mob Jack and Yankee Tank open at the same time) could give harvesters options and reduce crowding.
Staff noted Bird Point and other sites have received shell plantings this year and that some areas planted recently are still developing. The work group suggested Area 2 (Timberneck) be returned to rotation this year, with pages (the named bar) potentially open longer than Timberneck to reflect recent survey densities. Committee members asked staff to provide follow‑up survey results to help set exact dates and lengths for the season next year.
Ending: staff will prepare a draft rotation and season schedule for York/Mobjack and circulate the data behind the recommendations to SMAC ahead of the August meeting.
