by Megan Schiffres
RICHMOND—The Virginia General Assembly convened its 2020 session January 8 and began the process of considering over 1,000 bills and resolutions that were filed before the session began.
According to the Legislative Information System website, several bills addressing the menhaden fishery have been pre-filed.
If enacted, many other proposed bills could impact watermen, farmers and gun owners of the Northern Neck region.
Menhaden
House Bill 79 and Senate Bill 157, introduced by Del. Barry Knight and Sen. Bill DeSteph of Virginia Beach, propose to adopt regulations on the management of Atlantic menhaden fisheries order to comply with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fishery Management Plan. These bills also state that any regulation that would impose a moratorium on the fishing of menhaden will be subject to legislative review.
House Bill 448, introduced by Del. Nancy Guy of Virginia Beach, directs the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to adopt regulations necessary…