May 29, 2024: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has scheduled Virginia’s cobia public hearings regarding Draft Addendum II to Amendment 1. The in-person public hearing will be Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 starting at 6pm at VMRC’s main office in the Commission Room. In addition to this in-person option, there will also be a virtual option on Monday, June 24, 2024 beginning at 6pm (register by clicking here). At both public hearings, ASMFC will be giving a presentation discussing the options in the document, which include recreational allocation, harvest target evaluation, and the timeline for setting management specifications. Click the following link to find ASMFC's news release for all of the public hearings and an overview of what will be discussed, and how to submit public comments if you cannot attend the meeting in person or virtually. [ News Release ]
May 28, 2024: Results of the May VMRC Commission Meeting can be found here [ Draft Minutes ]
May 22, 2024: 2024 VMRC Winter Dredge Survey Media Release: Chesapeake Bay’s Blue Crab Population Holds Strong, Encouraging Managers to Maintain Harvest Levels [ Notice ]
May 21, 2024: 2023-2024 James River Seed Harvest closes Friday, May 24, 2024 at 2:00 PM. [ Notice
]
May 13, 2024: The Crab Management Advisory Committee (CMAC) will meet on May 29 at 4 PM at the VMRC Main Office, 380 Fenwick Road, Fort Monroe, VA. The committee will discuss results of the 2024 Bay-wide Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey. The meeting will also be livestreamed. [ Agenda
]
May 6, 2024: Effective 12:01 A.M., Saturday, June 1, 2024, the 2024 Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will re-open for vessels with a Virginia Summer Flounder Endorsement License. The landing limit for the Offshore (EEZ) Fishery from June 1 through June 30, 2024, is 10,000 pounds. Vessels may land a maximum of 10,000 pounds for the entire period of June 1 through June 30, 2024. [ Notice ]
April 24, 2024: Results of the April VMRC Meeting can be found under [ Draft Minutes ]
April 23, 2024: Virginia Celebrates Earth Day with Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration Milestone. [ Media Release ]
April 12, 2024: Effective 12:01 A.M., Monday, April 15, 2024, the Virginia commercial spot fishery will open. The season will remain open until December 8, 2024. [ Notice ]
March 29, 2024: On Tuesday, March 26th the commission voted to make changes to the recreational and commercial striped bass fisheries. The new spring and fall recreational striped bass slot limit will be 19-24 inches, and the bag limit and seasons will remain the same as in 2023. The Virginia Potomac River tributaries season has been updated to mirror the season in the main stem of the Potomac River set by PRFC. The open season for the Potomac River tributaries summer/fall striped bass recreational fishery will be May 16 through July 6 and August 21 through December 31, the slot size limit will be 19-24 inches. The Commercial Coastal striped bass quota has been updated to include the 7 percent quota reduction required by ASMFC's Addendum II to Amendment 7, all Coastal quota holders have been notified about this reduction. Lastly, the 5 commercial gear types listed in the regulation have been removed allowing any commercial harvesters that hold striped bass quota to harvest any striped bass caught using any commercial gear type.
For all recreational striped bass information please visit: https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/reports/swrecfishingrules.php.
For all commercial striped bass information please visit: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title4/agency20/chapter252/.
March 27, 2024: Results of the March VMRC Meeting can be found under [ Draft Minutes ]
March 12, 2024: In preparation of the upcoming 2024 Crabbing Season, VMRC wanted to share some clarifications for the harvesting of crabs for commercial purposes in Virginia:
Seasonal Restrictions on Crab Potting:
Pursuant to 4 VAC 20-270-40, it is illegal for any person to knowingly place, set, fish, or leave any hard crab pot in any tidal waters of Virginia from December 17, 2023, through March 16, 2024.
Commercial Crabbing Restrictions on Sundays:
In accordance with 4 VAC 20-270-20, the harvesting of crabs for commercial purposes on Sundays is prohibited. However, there are exceptions and clarifications to this regulation:
- Nothing in this regulation precludes the placing or setting of hard crab pots in the tidal waters of Virginia on Sundays from March 17, 2024, through November 30, 2024.
- The prohibition does not apply to the harvest of peeler crabs using crab traps or peeler pots.
- Floats, pens, or onshore facilities for soft crab shedding operations are exempt from this regulation.
- Individuals licensed to harvest peeler crabs via peeler pots may harvest one bushel of male crabs on Sundays strictly for baiting purposes. It is essential to note that these crabs may not be sold.
Any questions can be addressed to Deputy Chief of Fisheries Joe Grist at (757) 247-2200.
March 05, 2024: The VMRC is currently accepting applications for experimental gear permits, including the experimental Spanish mackerel gillnet permit. This opportunity extends until March 15, 2024. To access the application, please click HERE. Should you have any inquiries or require further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to Jennifer Farmer via email at Jennifer.Farmer@mrc.virginia.gov. We look forward to receiving your applications and assisting you throughout the process.
February 28, 2024: Results of the February VMRC Meeting can be found under [ Final Minutes ]
February 1, 2024: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission are hosting a virtual-only public hearing on February 1, 2024, at 6:00 PM to solicit feedback from recreational summer flounder anglers regarding recreational management measures for 2024-2025. Click here to see potential management options, submit written comments, and get connection information for the webinar.
January 29, 2024: The Commonwealth of Virginia is seeking qualified individuals for nominations to the Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council (www.mafmc.org). Nomination application kits will be made available upon request and are due to the Marine Resources Commission, c/o Joseph Grist, by close of business Friday, February 9th, 2024. [ Notice ]
January 24, 2024: The Commission has voted to open a special recreational black sea bass season from February 1-29, 2024. Interested in participating? You can read more about permitting and reporting requirements here and you can acquire your free permit here.
January 24, 2024: Results of the January VMRC Meeting can be found under [ Final Minutes ]
January 11, 2024: Effective 12:01 A.M., Monday, January 15, 2024, the Virginia commercial croaker fishery will open. The season will remain open until December 31, 2024. [ Notice ]
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