The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted to continue a limited by-catch for American shad for 2011 during a meeting Feb. 22 in Newport News. The commission supported an amendment to allow the limited by-catch of American shad in areas above the first bridge in the York, James and Rappahannock rivers, excluding spawning areas,.

This action is necessary, commission spokesman John Bull said, as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission reviews Virginia’s request for an American shad by-catch on an annual basis. This regulation allows commercial fishermen to keep some of the shad they accidentally catch.

Following a separate hearing, the commission voted to lower the recreational size limit for summer flounder. This will allow anglers to keep more of the flounder they catch.

The 2011 size limit will be 17.5 inches, with a four-fish possession limit and no closed season. The 2010 size limit was 18.5 inches with a four-fish possession limit.

In other matters, the ...