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FMAC tables broad electrofishing changes for blue catfish, creates stakeholder work group
Summary
After a prolonged public and committee exchange about commercial electrofishing, market capacity, and conflicts with fixed-gear fishers and piers, FMAC tabled broad regulatory changes and established a stakeholder work group to analyze landings, gear interactions and proximity rules before regulatory changes are considered.
The Fisheries Management Advisory Committee heard a lengthy presentation on blue catfish harvest and the commercial electrofishing fishery and then took public comment from watermen, charter captains and processors before deciding to table broad regulatory changes and form a small stakeholder work group.
VMRC staff presented data showing blue catfish harvest has risen in recent years (exceeding 3 million pounds in 2023) and described the current regulated electrofishing fishery (three licenses tied to the James, Pamunkey and Rappahannock rivers). Staff outlined options: expand or remove area restrictions, alter license eligibility, remove size limits on electrofishing (which currently limits large fish), and clarify proximity…
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