RD372 - Report on the Marking of Shellfish Leases as Requested Pursuant to Senate Bill 1101 (2015)

  • Published: 2015
  • Author: Virginia Marine Resources Commission
  • Enabling Authority: Rule 20 (o) of the Rules of the Senate of Virginia (2015)

Executive Summary:
During the 2015 General Assembly, session bills were introduced concerning both the marking of oyster ground leases (SB 1101) and notification requirements for new oyster ground applications (HB 2032). The notification bill was eventually tabled with an informal agreement that the agency would continue to address this issue. The oyster ground marking bill was passed by indefinitely with a letter requesting that the agency (through the agency's Shellfish Management Task Force) evaluate this issue in 2015 and that the agency produce a report and/or provide recommendations back to the General Assembly by November 1, 2015.

To address the request from the General Assembly the agency evaluated the following items:

• Review ways to change and/or improve the current requirements for the marking of shellfish leases.

• Review ways to change and/or improve the current requirements for marking shellfish aquaculture structures.

• Review ways to change and/or improve the marking of Public Grounds and/or shellfish condemnation lines.