Subcommittee carries over bill directing VMRC to develop fisheries climate-adaptation plan
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Summary
HB 389, directing the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to develop and maintain a science-based fisheries climate adaptation plan, was carried over for a year with a letter from the chair; supporters said climate impacts are already affecting fisheries and urged continued work.
Delegate Askew introduced HB 389, which directs the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to work with stakeholders to develop and maintain a science-based fisheries climate adaptation plan. The plan would assess climate impacts on Virginia fisheries and aquaculture, identify adaptive-management strategies and research priorities, and be guided by a technical advisory group.
Supporters including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said climate change is already shifting fisheries and that empowering VMRC to gather data and plan adaptively is necessary to protect fisheries and coastal economies. "Climate change is having impacts on the bay today," Jay Ford said.
Committee members discussed the need for further work; a motion was made to carry the bill over for a year with a letter from the chair to the secretary of natural resources, and the motion passed by voice vote. Sponsors indicated they expect to continue work on the measure over the next year.
Carrying the bill over preserves the proposal for further development and signals the committee’s interest in continuing stakeholder engagement and technical refinement before moving forward.
