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VMRC advisory committee endorses 2026 oyster replenishment plan, shifts some seed money to shell planting
Summary
The VMRC Shellfish Management Advisory Committee endorsed the agency's 2026 oyster replenishment plan on Jan. 29, recommending targeted shell plantings in the Rappahannock, Pocomoke and York rivers and reallocating some seed funds to cheaper house-shell plantings.
The Marine Resources Commission's Shellfish Management Advisory Committee on Jan. 29 endorsed the 2026 oyster replenishment plan, approving staff's priorities for where to plant shell and seed and asking that some seed-moving funds be redirected to targeted shell plantings.
Andrew, a VMRC shellfish staff presenter, said the agency is working from a draft plan that will be presented to the Commission after committee input. He told members the program's current funding is roughly $4 million, with about $2.5 million earmarked for replenishment and $1.5 million for restoration beginning July 1. "So that $4,000,000 has been pretty consistent," Andrew said, adding that carryover funds give the program a cushion this year.
The committee discussed where to place seed and shell, weighing the higher…
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