The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted unanimously Jan. 26 to approve a funding request to support submerged aquatic vegetation.

The commission, meeting at its headquarters in Newport News, approved a total of $22,000: $11,000 from the Marine Fishing Improvement Fund and $11,000 from the Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing Development Fund.

The funds will be used for research and SAV planting, mostly in the lower and middle sections of the Chesapeake Bay, including many areas off the Eastern Shore, said Laurie Naismith, VMRC spokesperson.

“They have had great success with that (SAV) program,” Naismith said.

The vote followed a report by Dr. Bob Orth of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, who gave a presentation on the status of SAV, which serves as an indicator to assess water quality and clarity within the Chesapeake Bay and coastal areas.

Water quality and clarity are important to the reestablishment of SAV, Orth said, and he antic...