The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comments on proposed amendments to regulations, as shown below. By July 9, 2026, the proposed draft regulations may be viewed on the VMRC web calendar at https://mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed amendments to these regulations will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Written public comments on the proposals below or on items not on the agenda must be provided by 12:00 noon, Thursday, July 23, 2026. Comments should be made at the following link: https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/fisheries/search_publiccomments.php, or addressed to Public Comments, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651.
I. Chapter 4VAC20-490, “Pertaining to Sharks”
The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4VAC20-490, “Pertaining to Sharks,” to amend the number of commercially permitted aggregated large coastal sharks and hammerhead sharks able to be retained per day, reclassify blacknose sharks’ permitted category, establish a commercial retention limit of eight blacknose sharks per vessel per trip, and establish a recreational size limit for fine tooth and blacknose sharks.
The purpose of these amendments is to align with NOAA’s Federal regulations
VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE MICHELE GUILFORD (757-247-2206) NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.
