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FMAC asks staff to study higher commercial hook‑and‑line limits for spadefish and other southern species
Summary
After public comment and staff briefing, FMAC directed VMRC staff to draft recommended commercial hook‑and‑line landing limits for Atlantic spadefish (500‑lb trip limit discussed as a reference) and return with proposed regulatory options for committee review.
The advisory committee opened a discussion on commercial access to Atlantic spadefish and greater amberjack, including whether Virginia should allow higher hook‑and‑line commercial trip limits or adjust gear parity. Staff explained Virginia does not participate in South Atlantic quota reporting for many species and that recent commercial landings for spadefish and amberjack in Virginia have been very low.
Commercial fisherman Todd Elder testified he would like the opportunity to land more than the current six spadefish per commercial hook‑and‑line card or two amberjack per card; he explored whether an SG1 (South Atlantic limited entry) permit would allow higher federal trip limits and asked the committee to consider parity across gear types. Staff clarified South Atlantic permits and quotas do not automatically apply to Virginia landings and that reporting and quota accounting would have to be addressed.
The committee voted (7–2) to ask staff to develop recommended commercial hook‑and‑line landing limits and a regulatory pathway for spadefish (staff will evaluate trip limits, seasonality, reporting, and gear types; a 500‑lb trip limit for other gears was referenced as a potential comparison point). Staff will work with stakeholders and return proposed options at a future FMAC meeting.
