Commission approves $524,275 (recreational) and $145,794 (commercial) in recommended projects from advisory boards
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Summary
Staff presented projects recommended by the Recreational and Commercial Fishing Advisory Boards. The commission approved the lists of recommended grants and projects from both boards after discussion about CFAB quorum and procedures.
Alicia Nelson of the commission’s Fisheries Management Division presented projects recommended by the Recreational Fishing Advisory Board (RFAB) and the Commercial Fishing Advisory Board (CFAB) for the Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing Development Fund and the Marine Fishery Improvement Fund. The RFAB reviewed 13 projects (mostly recurring projects such as youth fishing clinics, gamefish tagging, seagrass planting and monitoring, and citizen‑science programs) and recommended funding. The CFAB recommended three projects, including an American eel survey, the commercial portion of the VIMS match for federal funds, and a new GIS oyster‑visualization tool.
Nelson told the commission RFAB recommended awarding a total of $524,275 from the Recreational Fund and $145,794 from the Marine Fishery Improvement Fund for the 2025 cycle. A commissioner raised a process question because CFAB met without a quorum and one commissioner asked whether those recommendations should return for a formal CFAB vote; staff replied the board had been properly advertised and that staff and counsel had reviewed the process prior to presenting to the commission.
Associate Member Erskine moved to approve the projects as submitted; Associate Member Headley seconded and the commission carried the motion. Staff will proceed with grant administration according to fund rules and monitor project deliverables.
