by Megan Schiffres
RICHMOND—A bill to reduce the annual total allowable landings of menhaden in Virginia waters was laid on the table Monday by the Chesapeake subcommittee of the House committee on agriculture, Chesapeake and natural resources.
House Bill 1668, proposed by Del. Robert Bloxom of Accomack, would reduce menhaden landings across the Commonwealth from 168,937.75 metric tons to 168,213.16 metric tons. The bill would also lower the amount that companies purse seine fishing for menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay can harvest annually from 87,216 metric tons to 51,000 metric tons.
This adjustment in menhaden total allowable landings would be consistent with menhaden fishing regulations set by the Atlantic…
