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May 2008

May 8, 2008:  Commissioner Bowman announces free fishing days on June 6, 7, 8.  <More>

May 2, 2008:  Governor Kaine Seeks Federal Economic Relief for Virginia Crabbers <More>

April 2008

April 25, 2008: Public oyster ground hand tong harvest season in James River extended. Public Notice

April 22, 2008: The Commission approved sweeping cutbacks to the state’s crab harvest, including the elimination of the winter dredge season and a shortened fall pot season. Regulation changes were aimed at a 34 percent reduction in the female crab harvest, as part of a Bay-wide solution to a dangerously low crab population. <More>

Click Here for a press release that explains the crab harvest cuts in detail.

April 15, 2008:  Governors Urge a Collaborative Solution to Revive Crab Fishery <More>

March 2008

March 25, 2008:  The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted to close the 1,000-plus square mile crab sanctuary in the lower Chesapeake Bay a month earlier than usual. Crabs now will be off-limits in the sanctuary as of May 1, as spawning season begins. Also, the Commission agreed to consider bushel limits by area and seasons on female crabs next month, in addition to a series of other regulations to help protect the declining crab population. <More>

February 2008

February 26, 2008:  The Commission approved regulation changes aimed at shoring up the Chesapeake Bay’s plunging blue crab population, and set the table for a vote on potentially severe catch limits in April. Also enacted was a 19-inch size limit and five-fish possession limit for the recreational flounder season that opens March 1 and has a midseason closure that will be in effect from July 21-July 30.  <More>

February 20, 2008: As part of Virginia’s Outstanding Angler Awards Program, a total of 46 anglers achieve Expert Status and 10 anglers join the ranks of Master Angler. <More>

February 15, 2008: Frederick Barnes of Chesapeake sets new Virginia state record for striped bass. <More>

January 2008

January 22, 2008:  A multi-state panel of scientists has recommended Virginia regulators enact sweeping changes to significantly cut back on the number of blue crabs harvested in Virginia waters this year. The crab population is dangerously low, despite years of effort to bring back this keystone species. <Click here to read the Regulatory Review Committee Report> <Click here to see other actions taken at the January Commission meeting>

January 17, 2008: The Saltwater Tournament is working on issuing 2007 trophy fish citations between now an early April. Click here to read about their process for citation delivery to anglers. 

January 3, 2008: Chris Boyce of Hampton, Virginia has established a new state record for snowy grouper. <More>