VIMS Rapa Whelk Monitoring Program

Introduction to the VIMS rapa whelk bounty program

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) continues to offer a bounty on rapa whelks collected in Chesapeake waters. The VIMS rapa bounty program is an effective method for VIMS scientists to estimate the abundance of this animal in local waters, map its distribution, and conduct basic research on the biology of this invasive species in local waters. The cooperation of local watermen, seafood processors and private citizens makes the bounty program possible. Since its inception in September 1998 and July 2005, the VIMS rapa whelk bounty program has documented over 10,000 adult rapa whelks collected in Chesapeake Bay.

Rapa whelk bounty program reporting instructions

Effective 16 April 2001: A bounty of $5 per snail will be paid for LIVE rapa whelks. Whelks must be alive at the time that they are given to VIMS personnel. A bounty of $2 per snail will be paid for DEAD rapa whelks or empty rapa whelk shells. Please maintain rapa whelks in fresh seawater until they are picked up by VIMS personnel. Please do NOT hold rapa whelks in a freezer. We will continue to offer the bounty program T-shirt option described below at a rate of one T-shirt for every 10 snails donated.

Beginning September 1, 1999, we are pleased to offer a bounty program option for individuals that donate 10 or more whelks during the next year. Rapa whelk t-shirts will be available instead of the $2 per animal for individuals that donate 10 or more whelks between September 1, 1999 and September 1, 2000. These cotton short-sleeved t-shirts will be available in two colors and three sizes (adult L, XL, XXL). If you would like to receive a Rapa whelk t-shirt instead of bounty money, please make this request when whelks are given to VIMS personnel. We will keep a tally of whelks donated in our records and send a t-shirt for every 10 whelks received per individual. Please do not hold animals for long periods of time; they are much more valuable to us alive then dead.

To be eligible for the bounty, you must give the following information to VIMS personnel when you call to report the whelk. 1. Your name 2. Your mailing address 3. Status of the whelk(s) (Live, Dead, shell only) 4. Date of collection. 5. Specific collection location 6. Bottom type at the collection site 7. Water depth at the collection site To report a whelk, please call the Rapa Whelk Reporting Line at (804) 684-7361. We will make arrangements to pick-up the whelk(s) from you at your convenience.

Bounty program sponsors

Funds to support the bounty on rapa whelks have been contributed by:

Commonwealth of Virginia
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Virginia Saltwater Commercial Fishing Development Fund
Virginia Sea Grant Program
VIMS Dept. of Fisheries Science

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