SMAC reviews proposal to reconfigure Upper Rappahannock harvest areas into three management zones

VMRC staff presented a proposal from a Blue Ribbon Oyster Panel subgroup to reorganize portions of the Upper Rappahannock into three management zones to support a new rotational harvest strategy.

Under the concept shown to the Shellfish Management Advisory Committee, a revised Area 8 would be centered around Maratico Bar, a revised Area 7 would cover the southern/western portion of the present Area 7 (including Punchbowl), and a new Area 10 would cover the North Shore including Manaskin Bluff and areas down to where it meets Area 6. The working group suggested opening Area 7 for the coming season, then Area 10 the following year, and the revised Area 8 after that, on a three‑year rotation with no more than two months of hand‑scrape harvest in any single opening.

Dr. Roger Mann, who participated in the work group, told the committee he supports rotational harvest and urged the panel to ‘‘cut it up’’ in a simple, enforceable way rather than leaving ad hoc annual decisions. Several committee members and commercial harvesters questioned whether splitting the river down the channel’s center is the best line, noting differences in oyster quality and historical harvest patterns between the two shores. Some harvesters argued for pairing stronger and weaker areas in rotations or adopting a two‑year rotation rather than creating three small zones.

Why it matters: staff said the proposal attempts to equalize productive area and make enforcement more straightforward; committee members said clearer, predictable rotations would help harvest planning and replenishment scheduling. Staff agreed to draft detailed polygons and a proposed schedule that reflects committee feedback and circulate it before the August meeting so SMAC can consider a vote.

Ending: staff will prepare a draft season map and schedule for distribution to the committee; no formal vote was taken at the July 23 meeting.