Petition for Hickory Shad Regulations Open for Comment Through Sept. 16

CCA Virginia requests public support for the conservation measures needed to provide consistency in regulations and safeguard hickory shad from overfishing in Virginia. 

CCA Virginia resubmitted a petition for regulating hickory shad to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) via the Virginia Town Hall process. This followed notification that VMRC was unable to complete consideration of CCA Virginia’s request for hickory shad fisheries management using the normal regulatory process. A creel limit recommendation previously made by the VMRC Finfish Management Advisory Committee was incorporated into the updated petition.

CLICK HERE to view and sign the petition

Points for consideration for your comments:

  • Management of hickory shad should be consistent across Virginia. The DWR 10 per day hickory shad limit for Virginia rivers outside the Chesapeake Bay watershed is a reasonable model for beginning management of the Chesapeake Bay and tributary hickory shad spawning runs.
  • Conserving hickory shad will help protect against overfishing a species with an unknown population and undetermined abundance needed for a self-sustaining stock.
  • Unrestricted takes during hickory shad spawning runs reduces the potential for successful spawns.
  • Overfishing hickory shad risks depletion of the stock and jeopardizes the continued availability of a recreational fishery.
  • Unrecognized bycatch of American shad during unrestricted bulk takes of hickory shad undermines restoration efforts for this species.
  • A daily creel limit facilitates adjustment of allowed takes as conditions change.
  • Creel limits provide a practical measure for field inspection of hickory shad takes.
  • Hickory shad availability as a forage species for striped bass is diminished by unrestricted takes.

CCA VA CONTACT: Wayne Young (Volunteer) | fishhawksnest@gmail.com | (703) 216-2648.

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