Among the research agencies in the BAY region- only vims has a research program dealing with multispecies issues and focused on the adult harvested components of the exploited fish species that…

Among the research agencies in the BAY region- only vims has a research program dealing with multispecies issues and focused on the adult harvested components of the exploited fish species that utilize the chesapeake BAY. The multispecies research group (MRG) at vims is comprised of three main branches: field data collection- laboratory sample processing- and data analysis multispecies modeling.chesmmap was initiated in 2002 by the vims MRG and is prosecuted in direct support of single and multispecies modeling and management efforts. In general- chesmmap is a bottom trawl survey that uses a trawl net designed to sample late-juvenile and adult fishes in chesapeake BAY. This survey currently provides data on relative abundance- length- weight- SEX ratio- maturity- age- and trophic interactions for several recreationally- commercially- and ecologically important fishes in the BAY.vims acquisition in late 2018 of the RV virginia affords the opportunity to expand the types of sampling conducted during chesmmap cruises. Specifically- additional vessel space and equipment along with 24-hour operations provides the ability to collect synoptic samples of the entire water column utilizing a suite of sampling gears. In 2020- chesmmap commenced collecting benthic grabs at a subset of stratified random locations. In 2021- MRG began perfecting the configuration as well as the setting and hauling procedures for midwater trawling gear as well as plankton nets.