The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) recently released its 2016 Weakfish Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report. The assessment indicates that weakfish is depleted and has been for the past 13 years. The assessment indicates some positive signs … Continued
An annual survey led by researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) shows that the abundance of underwater grasses in Chesapeake Bay increased 21% between 2014 and 2015, from 75,835 acres to 91,621 acres. VIMS tracks the abundance … Continued
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Marine Resources Commission recently released the results of the 2016 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey. The survey indicates a bay-wide crab population of 553 million, a 35-percent increase over last year, and … Continued
Virginia shellfish farmers sold $48.3 million in clams and oysters in 2015, with hard clam sales of $32.3 million once again leading the nation and $16 million in oyster sales tops among East Coast states. The values are according to … Continued
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has announced a shellfish harvesting closure on the Back River due to potential contamination from a sewage spill. Shellfish taken from areas affected by the emergency closure are currently unacceptable for consumption, according to … Continued