2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25102640D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2521
Offered January 8, 2025
Prefiled January 8, 2025
A BILL to direct the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in collaboration with the Marine Resources Commission to conduct a stock assessment on the oyster population in the waters of the Commonwealth; report.
PatronLopez
Committee Referral Pending
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. 1. That the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) shall, in collaboration with the Marine Resources Commission, conduct a stock assessment of the oyster population in the waters of the Commonwealth. Such assessment shall include a comprehensive mapping and sampling of all oyster-growing areas and identify any factors that affect the depletion of oysters, including the natural death, changes in the habitat, and the harvesting of such oysters, in the waters of the Commonwealth. VIMS shall report its findings and any recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources by April 1, 2026.