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VMRC adopts 7% reduction to Chesapeake Bay commercial striped bass quota to comply with ASMFC
Summary
To comply with an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission addendum, VMRC approved a 7% reduction to the Chesapeake Bay commercial striped bass quota and removed a tagging provision; commissioners cited compliance risk and ongoing stock rebuilding.
The Marine Resources Commission on Dec. 3 approved staff‑recommended amendments to Atlantic striped bass regulations to reduce the Chesapeake Bay commercial quota from 983,393 pounds to 914,555 pounds, a 7% decrease required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
Fisheries staff explained the change responds to the ASMFC Addendum 2 to Amendment 7, part of a coastwide rebuilding plan for Atlantic striped bass with a 2029 deadline. Joshua McGilly said ASMFC approved a 7% commercial quota reduction coastwide and that Virginia must implement the change to remain in compliance; failure to do so could trigger notices to the governor’s office and potential restrictions on interstate fish shipments.
Staff also recommended removing subsection 160(f) in 4 VAC 20‑252‑160 to ease tag possession for the small number of commercial harvesters (15) who hold both ocean and bay quotas, while retaining a prohibition on carrying both tags on the vessel at the same time. Staff said the change reduces regulatory burden without allowing harvest of both quotas simultaneously.
VIMS technical staff described the coastwide stock status: striped bass remain in a rebuilding plan, with roughly 80% of removals attributable to the recreational sector and significant release mortality (approximately 40–50% of total removals are release mortality plus recreational harvest). Commenters including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation urged the Commission to follow staff recommendations to aid species recovery.
Commissioners discussed the economic impact on commercial watermen and enforcement logistics but acknowledged the ASMFC decision required action. A motion to follow staff recommendations — adopt the 7% commercial bay quota reduction and remove subsection 160(f) — was moved and seconded and passed by recorded hands and unanimous support among commissioners present.
The amendments will be incorporated into 4 VAC 20‑252 regulations; staff noted dates and ASMFC deadlines for public comments and upcoming meetings and said additional regional management discussions will continue in December and into 2025.
