Agency News

Note:  to see public notices for proposed regulatory actions, upcoming meeting dates and past meeting minutes use the Agency Meeting Calendar.

January 2026

January 14, 2026: Effective January 14, 2026, 11:30 PM, local time – March 31, 2026, the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Commercial Fishery will close. Please see attached notice for more information. [ Notice ]

January 14, 2026: Effective 12:01 AM, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the 2026 Virginia commercial croaker fishery will open. The season will remain open until December 31, 2026. [ Notice ]

January 13, 2026: New Virginia State record for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna [ Notice ]

January 13, 2026: Effective January 13, 2026, 11:30 PM – December 31, 2026 , the recreational Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Southern Area Trophy Fishery will close. Please use this link for more information.

January 5, 2026: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission will be opening a special recreational black sea bass season from February 1-28, 2026. Interested in participating? You can read more about permitting and reporting requirements here and acquire your free permit here.

January 2, 2026: A Petition for Rulemaking pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden has been posted on the Town Hall website. Public comment period will begin on January 26, 2026, and end on February 17, 2026. A link will be posted here at that time.

December 2025

December 29, 2025: ATTENTION Virginia Offshore Flounder Industry: Effective 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the 2026 Period One Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will open for vessels with a Virginia Summer Flounder Endorsement License. The 2026 Period One Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder fishery will be open from Wednesday, February 4 through Monday, April 20, 2026. The landing limit for this open period is 15,000 pounds per trip. Please see attached notice for more information. [ Notice ]

December 23, 2025: Effective 12:01 AM, Thursday, January 1, 2026, the Virginia commercial croaker fishery will close. Therefore, after 12:01 AM, Thursday, January 1, 2026, it shall be unlawful for any commercial fisherman registration licensee to harvest or land croaker until the season opens on January 15, 2026. [ Notice ]