FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 27, 2019
CONTACT: Jo Knight, jo@conservefish.org

The Network Applauds Virginia’s Leadership to Protect Economically Crucial Fishery

Arlington, VA – Today the Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted to enact emergency regulations for the striped bass fishery, which recently has been assessed as overfished with overfishing currently occurring. Virginia’s action established a bag limit of one fish per angler per day, with a maximum size limit of 36 inches. The emergency measures also set a maximum gill net size of nine inches in the coastal fishery and seven inches in the Chesapeake Bay fishery.

Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, released the following statement:

“The Virginia Marine Resources Commission’s decisive and forward-thinking action today is welcome news for those who care about the future of the striped bass fishery. We strongly encourage other states within the Atlantic Marine Fisheries Commission to follow Virginia’s leadership and take action immediately to get a plan in place to restore sustainable levels of this prized fishery.”

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The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a coalition of commercial and recreational fishing associations, regional and national conservation groups, aquaria, and marine science organizations committed to sustaining fish populations, healthy marine ecosystems, and robust fishing communities.