The Commission has announced they are accepting applications for the 2023 Eastern Shore Experimental Shrimp Trawl Fishery scheduled to open September 15. The Commission opted for an earlier start date to increase fishing opportunities and coincided with Maryland�s fishery. In July 2021, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved Chapter 4 VAC 20-1390-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Shrimp" establishing a shrimp trawl fishery with associated license, lottery, gear, season, and area regulations for the Virginia Beach Shrimp Trawl Area after four successful years as an experimental fishery.
Unfortunately, the Eastern Shore area still does not have adequate information at this time to transition to a regulated fishery, and will remain experimental in 2023. Eastern Shore permittees will be selected through a lottery from all applicants received by the June 30th deadline. Up to twelve (12) permittees will be selected for the Eastern Shore Area. At this time, no additional licenses will be issued for the Virginia Beach Shrimp Trawl Harvest Area in 2023.
Applications and detailed information concerning the Eastern Shore Special Experimental Trawl permits are available at the links below: Eastern Shore Special Experimental Trawl Permit Application and Information [ Letter | Application ]
Applications must be received by 5:00 PM on June 30th.
For questions: Email fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov, Subject Header "Shrimp"
