HD66 - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration in Virginia - An Analysis of the Resource and Potential Conflicts with Fishing and Aquaculture Activities


Executive Summary:
In 1998, the Virginia General Assembly adopted House Joint Resolution (HJR) 283 which directed the Virginia Delegation of the Chesapeake Bay Commission to study the restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and potential conflicts between SAV restoration and certain fishing and aquaculture practices. This paper presents information gathered during the course of the study and offers a series of findings and recommendations.

Part 1 offers a brief description of the SAV resource and its importance. Part 2 reviews the state of shellfish aquaculture in Virginia. Part 3 examines the present and historic status of the SAV resource, Part 4 reviews regional policy directives adopted by the Chesapeake Bay Program related to SAV. Part 5 analyzes the existing management framework in Virginia. Part 6 conducts an analysis of activities or conditions that affect SAV health and abundance, including human activities. Part 7 offers draft findings and recommendations.