Marine Science, Virginia Institute of; duties, oyster stock assessment, report.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text specifies that VMRC conducts the stock assessments, not VIMS.

Oyster Stock Assessment for Virginia Waters

This bill requires the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to conduct regular assessments of oyster populations in state waters and report findings to relevant agencies.

What This Bill Does

• Requires VMRC to do a stock assessment of oysters every three years starting from 2026.
• VMRC must work with VIMS to complete the assessment.
• After each assessment, VMRC needs to send its results and any suggestions to several government officials by December 1st.
• VMRC has to use these findings when making decisions about managing oyster fisheries and restoration efforts.

Who It Names or Affects

• Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC)
• Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
• Government officials like the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources

Terms To Know

Stock assessment

A study to understand how many oysters are in Virginia's waters.

Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC)

The agency that manages marine life and resources in Virginia.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify what happens if VMRC or VIMS fails to follow the requirements.
• It is unclear how much money will be needed for these assessments.
• There are no details on penalties for non-compliance with reporting deadlines.

Official Summary Text

Virginia Institute of Marine Science; duties; oyster stock assessment; report.
Directs the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to conduct, in collaboration with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), a stock assessment of the oyster population in the waters of the Commonwealth beginning in calendar year 2026 and occurring no less frequently than every three years thereafter. The bill directs VIMS to report its findings and any recommendations to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, VMRC's Shellfish Management Division, and the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than December 1 of the calendar year in which such assessment has been conducted. The bill also directs VMRC to utilize the findings and recommendations of such assessment in its fisheries and restoration management decisions no later than July 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such assessment has been conducted.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL NO. 599

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

on January 28, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Simonds)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 28.2 a section numbered
28.2-563
, relating to Marine Resources Commission; oyster stock assessment; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 28.2 a section numbered
28.2-563
as follows:

§
28.2-563
. Oyster stock assessment; report.

A.
The Commission shall conduct a stock assessment of the oyster population in the waters of the Commonwealth beginning in calendar year 2026 and occurring no less frequently than every three years thereafter. Such assessment shall include comprehensive mapping and sampling of all oyster-growing areas and identif
ication of
any factors that affect the depletion of oysters, including changes in the habitat, the natural death, and the harvesting of such oysters in the waters of the Commonwealth. Every other assessment shall be a benchmark stock assessment that includes a full analysis and review of the stock condition, focusing on the consideration of new data sources and newer or improved assessment models. The
Commission
shall report its findings and any recommendations to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and the Chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources no later than December 1 of the calendar year in which such assessment has been conducted. The Commission shall incorporate the findings and recommendations of such assessment in its fisheries and restoration management decisions no later than July 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such assessment has been conducted
.

B. In conducting the oyster stock assessment pursuant to subsection A
,
t
he Commission may contract

for
surveying services t
hrough a competitive b
idding
process
.