HD48 - The Means to Enhance the Commonwealth's Fishery Resources Through Supplemental Funding and Public/Private Cooperation

  • Published: 1993
  • Author: Virginia Marine Resources Commission and Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Virginia Institute of Marine Science
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 130 (Regular Session, 1992)

Executive Summary:
1. Potential Revenue Sources for Fisheries Programs

The 1992 Session of the General Assembly passed two measures which will begin raising revenues for fisheries programs in 1993. A new licensing program for saltwater recreational fishing is expected to raise two million dollars per year. The revenue is credited to a special Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing Development Fund. It is to be used solely for the purposes of conserving and enhancing recreational fisheries. Also, a new licensing program for the registration of commercial fishermen is expected to raise approximately one-half million dollars per year. The revenue is credited to a special Marine Fishing Improvement Fund. The fund is to be used solely for managing and improving the marine fisheries in such ways as establishing a commercial fisheries harvest and reporting system, stock assessment, and education of commercial fishermen.

The following areas were reviewed as potential sources of additional revenue to fund fisheries programs:

• Fines from fisheries violations (not feasible)

• Civil charges for violations of marine habitat permits and laws

• Bay license plate revenues for the marine fisheries

Fines from fisheries violations were found to be not feasible. Fines must be deposited into the Literary Fund in accordance with Article VIII, Section 8, of the Constitution of Virginia.

2. Feasibility of General Obligation Bonds as a Source of Funding Fisheries Programs:

Non-feasible uses:

Article X, Section 9, of the Constitution of Virginia, sets forth criteria for general obligation debt. Generally, the debt must be for specific capital projects. The potential purchase of fingerlings from privately-owned hatcheries would be classified as operating expenses. Thus, it would not meet the capital project criteria.

The use of general obligation bond revenue to finance an endowment fund for future, but unidentified, expenditures on fisheries, under the supervision of a consortium, has been considered. However, this would not meet the criteria of spending bond proceeds on planned and specified capital improvements.

Feasible uses:

There is a significant need for increased funding for angler access facilities, critical habitat acquisition, improved fish passageways, and the development and renovation of Virginia's fish hatchery system. The use of general obligation bonds is a possible source of funding to address these capital needs.