December 29, 2020: A 30 day dispensation for 2021 commercial and gear licenses will be granted due to major delays in the USPS. See our COVID page for related updates to COVID-19 office procedures. [COVID-19 Information Page]
December 17, 2020: A 708-pound bluefin tuna, caught on February 16, 2020 by Jake Hiles, of Virginia Beach, has been certified as the new Virginia State Record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament’s Director Lewis Gillingham. [VSWFT Announcement]
December 10, 2020: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission is allowing individuals with a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) that has expired between March 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020 obtain a Virginia Guide License or a Virginia Fishing Guide Reciprocity Permit through March 31, 2021. This is in response to the USCG transition to telework and their subsequent extension of these expiration dates. Captains actively working on expired credentials must carry the expired credential with a copy of the USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletin 08-20, which can be found here: [ USCG Notice ]
December 9, 2020: On December 8th, the Commission adjusted the
2021-2023 recreational cobia management measures to comply with the ASMFC Cobia
Fishery Management Plan. The new management measures are: a season of June
15-September 15; a 1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel possession limit; and a
prohibition on gaffing. The minimum size of 40” total length with one allowed on
a vessel >50” total length remains the same. The 2021 Recreational Cobia Permit
for Virginia will be available online on January 1, 2021. For more information,
please visit our Recreational Cobia Fishing website: [Recreational
Cobia Fishing in Virginia]
December 8, 2020: Results of the December 8th Commission electronic meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
December 4, 2020: VMRC welcomes Gloria Hatcher, new Deputy Chief/Accounting Manager in the Administration and Finance Division, Tiffany Birge, and Ben Nettleton as new Environmental Engineers in Habitat Management Division. Click on the links to learn about our most recent employees. [
Gloria Hatcher |
Tiffany Birge |
Ben Nettleton ]
Commercial fishermen can now submit requests for the 2021 Tautog Commercial Permit and tags, which will be required on all tautog landed commercially from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Completed Permit and Tag Request Forms and fees will be accepted by mail or in the VMRC Main Office drop box and VMRC staff will distribute by mail permits, tags, and tag applicators. This process may take up to two weeks, so please submit your applications early. For more information, visit our Tautog Tagging Information webpage or call (757) 247-2069.
November 13, 2020: Thank you for participating in the recreational cobia survey! We had almost 600 responses! The results will be discussed at the December 8, 2020 Commission meeting, but if you’d like to see the results before then, check out the document linked here.
November 17, 2020: The Menhaden Management Advisory Committee (MMAC) will meet on Tuesday November 17 at 4 PM to receive updates regarding coastwide Atlantic menhaden management and the resulting total allowable catch for 2021-2022. It is anticipated that the Commission will hear and decide on regulatory updates associated with the new total allowable catch at their December 8 meeting. Please visit the link below to find information on how to attend the electronic MMAC meeting: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
October 30, 2020: The Round One application period for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding has been extended to November 6, 2020 for applications submitted online or placed in the physical dropbox located outside of the Commission's main office at Ft. Monroe. Mailed applications must still be postmarked by TODAY, October 30, 2020 to ensure their arrival before the Round One period closes. For Round One, the VMRC will be contacting individuals who participate in the Virginia seafood industry and may be eligible for assistance via mail and email. Only individuals who are eligible to apply in Round One will be mailed an application, however they are encouraged to apply online for efficiency, dependability, and ability to track application status. Please check the VMRC Disaster Relief website for frequently asked questions, eligibility criteria, and to find the online application.
October 28, 2020: On October 27th, the Commission voted to extend the 2020 season for hard crab pots until December 19, 2020. All crab pots MUST be removed from the waters of Virginia prior to December 20th. It will be illegal to place, set, or leave hard crab pots in Virginia waters from December 20, 2020 to March 16, 2021. The season end date for peeler pots and all other crab gears remains October 31, 2020.
October 27, 2020: Results of the October 27th Commission electronic meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
October 19, 2020: Recreational cobia anglers, VMRC is asking for public input through a survey to provide feedback on recreational cobia management options for 2021-2023. Virginia has exceeded its recreational cobia harvest quota over the last few years and must adhere to the regulations set forth by the ASMFC Fishery Management Plan for cobia. To keep the recreational fishery in compliance, Virginia must adjust management measures to achieve a 42% reduction to the recreational cobia fishery for the 2021-2023 seasons. Please follow the link below to provide your feedback until COB on Friday October 30!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S9VKQQR.
October 9, 2020: ATTENTION COMMERCIAL SPECKLED TROUT HARVESTERS AND BUYERS : Effective 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 13, 2020, the 2020/2021 Virginia commercial speckled trout fishery will close. Based upon landing reports from Virginia seafood buyers and speckled trout harvesters, it is projected that Virginia will have harvested and landed 100% of the 51,104 pound quota. Therefore, after 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, it shall be unlawful for any person to harvest or land speckled trout for commercial purposes in Virginia (Chapter 4VAC 20-280-10 et seq.). [Notice]
October 8, 2020: Virginia's CARES Act Application Period Starts October 13! The VMRC is pleased to announce that the Round One application process for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding will open Tuesday, October 13 and will run through Friday, October 30, 2020. For Round One, the VMRC will be contacting individuals who participate in the Virginia seafood industry and may be eligible for assistance via mail and email this week. Only individuals who are eligible to apply in Round One will be mailed an application, however they are encouraged to apply online starting October 13. Please check the VMRC Disaster Relief website for details on eligibility criteria and to find to the online application.
October 5, 2020: The Finfish Management Advisory Committee (FMAC) will meet on October 14th at 5 PM to discuss and recommend changes to the recreational cobia management measures. Virginia is required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to evaluate our recreational harvest. If a state's average harvest exceeds its target, that state must reduce its season or vessel limit to achieve the target in the future. Virginia has gone over its recreational cobia target in recent years and will need to shorten the cobia season, or decrease the bag limits in response. The public are encouraged to attend the FMAC meeting to voice their opinions on various management options. It is anticipated that the Commission will hear and decide on the recommendation made by the FMAC at the December Commission meeting. Please visit the link below to find information on how to attend the electronic FMAC meeting: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
October 2, 2020: Commission web applications will be offline on Friday, 10/2/2020 from 1PM to 5PM, this includes the registration system for the Fisherman Information Program (FIP), online commercial harvest reporting, gamefish tagging program, and public lease and JPA permit lookup features.
October 1, 2020: ATTENTION SPECKLED TROUT HARVESTERS & BUYERS: It is projected that 80 percent of the 51,104 pound commercial landings quota for speckled trout has been taken for the season that began on September 1, 2020 and will extend through August 31, 2021. Effective 6:00 PM. Saturday, October 3, 2020, it shall be unlawful, for any commercial fisherman registration licensee, to take, harvest, land or possess a daily bycatch limit of more than 100 pounds of speckled trout, and that daily bycatch landing limit of speckled trout shall consist of at least an equal amount of other fish species. [Notice]
September 29, 2020: Results of the September 29th Commission electronic meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
September 28, 2020: The Commercial Mandatory Harvest Reporting Program will no longer be accepting reports of “No Activity†through the toll free 1-800 telephone line or over the phone. All reports of “No Activity†will need to be submitted on a Green Card provided by the agency or through the online Mandatory Harvest Reporting Program Web Application. If you have question, need supplies or need assistance please call 757-247-2241. If you would like to request an online account please visit https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/harvest/.
September 25, 2020: VMRC has installed a drop box in front of the main office building located at 380 Fenwick Rd, Ft. Monroe, VA, 23651. The office is still closed, but this drop box will provide an alternative option to mailing in paperwork using the US Postal Service. Please note, this drop box is not a USPS mailbox and all outgoing mail should be placed in a proper USPS receptacle.
September 22, 2020. Potential Federal Fisheries Assistance through USDA: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, announced September 9th that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide approximately $530 million to support the U.S. seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. The funding will be provided through the Seafood Trade Relief Program and funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). The species impacted include Atka mackerel, Crab (Dungeness), Crab (King), Crab (Snow), Crab (Southern Tanner), Flounder, Geoduck, Goosefish, Herring, Lobster, Pacific Cod, Pacific Ocean Perch, Pollock, Sablefish, Salmon, Sole, Squid, Tuna, and Turbot. Information on the program, details on how to apply, and which fisheries are eligible can be found here: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/09/09/usda-supports-us-seafood-industry-impacted-retaliatory-tariffs.
September 16, 2020. Virginia's CARES Act Spending Plan Approved! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has officially
reviewed and approved
Virginia's spend plan to distribute fisheries disaster relief funding
related to the CARES Act. VMRC will be completing preparations for the online
and mail-in application processes, including the replacement of the Agency's
main computer server to better ensure the information security of the personal
data collected in the applications for this assistance. We expect that work to
be completed in the next few weeks and the application period to start in early
October. VMRC will be contacting individuals who participate in the Virginia
seafood industry and may be eligible for assistance via mail and email in the
next few weeks. Please check back to this website for further updates and
developments, or email questions to
covid19relief@mrc.virginia.gov.
September 15, 2020: Tautog Harvesters: Individuals who wish to land tautog for commercial purposes during the November 1 to December 31, 2020 season must possess a 2020 Tautog Commercial Permit and must apply a tag numbered on that permit to each tautog they land in accordance with 4 VAC 20-960-48. All tautog landings must be reported to the VMRC Mandatory Harvest Reporting Program with the number of tags used each day written on the report. More info is available here: https://mrc.virginia.gov/Notices/2020/tautog-commercial-tags.shtm
Until the VMRC office reopens to the public, all tautog permits and tags must be requested by mail and will be mailed to you. If you are requesting a 2020 Tautog Commercial Permit and tags for the first time, complete this form and mail with a money order or check for the $25 tag fee to the VMRC Main Office. If you already possess a 2020 Tautog Commercial Permit but will need additional tags for the winter 2020 season, complete this form and mail with your current 2020 permit to the VMRC Main Office so a new permit can be issued to you. PLEASE NOTE, because all permits and tags will need to be processed by mail, expect a two-week turnaround time and plan your request accordingly. Contact Alexa Kretsch at Alexa.Kretsch@mrc.virginia.gov or (757) 247-2069 with any questions.
September 14, 2020: NOAA announced a temporary rule (in season adjustment) to the 2020 Winter II commercial scup quota and per-trip federal landing limit. The revised trip limit will be 24,000 pounds for the Winter II period (October 1 through December 31, 2020). [NOAA Announcement]
September 11, 2020: Commission web applications will be offline
on Friday, 9/11/2020 from 2PM to 5PM, this includes the registration system for the Fisherman
Information Program (FIP), online commercial harvest reporting, tagging
program, and public lease and JPA permit lookup features.
September 10, 2020: ASMFC
meetings announced - On Tuesday, September 22 at 6 PM, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will be gathering Virginia's public input on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia. The Draft Addendum considers options to change the percent allocation between commercial and recreational sectors, the calculation of the commercial trigger, and de minimis measures. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all hearings will be conducted via webinar. Please note that in order to comment during the hearings you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your phone (the phone numbers provided below are for listening only). The link for the press release with GoToMeeting instructions at the bottom is here: http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/5f590c61pr18CobiaAddendumI_PublicHearings.pdf.
Webinar link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6006408131526490128
Phone Number to listen only: 877.309.2074; Access code: 200-660-341
Contact: Somers Smott at somers.smott@mrc.virginia.gov or 757.247.2004
On Thursday, October 8 at 6 PM, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be gathering Virginia's public input on the Commission's Draft Addendum XXXIII and the Council's Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment. These actions are considering adjustments to commercial black sea bass allocations based on current distribution and abundance of the stock. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all hearings will be conducted via webinar. Please note that in order to comment during the hearings you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your phone (the phone numbers provided below are for listening only). The link for the press release with GoToMeeting instructions is here: http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/5f52b246pr19_BSBAddendumXXXIII_PublicHearings.pdf.
Register for the webinar (select Thu, Oct 8 from the dropdown menu for Virginia's hearing): https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6029916789664773645
Phone Number to listen only: 562.247.8422; Access Code: 412-241-258
Contact: Alexa Kretsch at Alexa.Kretsch@mrc.virginia.gov or 757.247.2069
August 28, 2020: On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, the Virginia Commercial Speckled Trout Season will open. When it is projected and announced that 80 percent of the commercial landings quota has been taken, it shall be unlawful for any commercial fisherman registration licensee to take, harvest, land, or possess a daily bycatch of greater than 100 pounds of speckled trout, and that daily bycatch landing limit of speckled trout shall consist of at least an equal amount of other fish species.
Any licensed seafood buyer who purchases speckled trout from September 1 through November 30 shall report daily purchases in pounds using the commission's interactive voice recording system ( 757-552-6400 option 5) on the day of purchase.
Any closure will be announced on the Commission's website. If you have any questions please contact Jill Ramsey at 757-247-2243.
April 20, 2020: At 4:00 p.m., the Menhaden Management Advisory Committee (MMAC) will hold a special, electronic-only meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the committee is to provide guidance to the VMRC on the sustainable management of the menhaden resource and harvest of the bait and reduction fisheries in the waters of the Commonwealth, including the Chesapeake Bay. Since the meeting will be electronic only, please check back on the Commission's calendar web page on the day of meeting to get public participation information. Calendar link to: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm
April 13, 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the April 28, 2020 Commission meeting will be an electronic only meeting and will only consider a single fisheries agenda item concerning menhaden fishery management and a single habitat permit item. The meeting will be electronic only, so please check back on the Commission's calendar web page on the day of meeting to get public participation information. [Calendar Page | Notice | Draft Menhaden Regulation]
April 7, 2020: interim procedures regarding commercial striped bass and tautog tags have been posted on the agency COVID-19 Information Page.
April 3, 2020: Membership of the newly formed Menhaden Management Advisory Committee (MMAC) has been finalized. The purpose of the committee is to provide guidance to the VMRC on the sustainable management of the menhaden resource and harvest of the bait and reduction fisheries in the waters of the Commonwealth, including the Chesapeake Bay. The Commissioner extends his thanks to all applicants to the committee for their interest in assisting with the management of the menhaden fishery in Virginia. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic the first MMAC meeting has not yet been scheduled. [MMAC Membership]
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input on an amendment to address revisions to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish fishery management plan goals and objectives, as well as modifications to Illex fishery permitting. A webinar-based public hearing will be held on Monday April 13th at 6:00 pm for the southern region. Written comments will be accepted through April 20, 2020. All information regarding the public hearings and written comments can be found here: [MAFMC Notice]
April 2, 2020: Charter boat and party boat operations are hereby declared non-essential businesses. This decision has been made based on the directives contained in the Governor's Executive orders pertaining to social distancing and limitations of the number of people that may be onboard. In addition, a person undertaking a charter or party trip is making a discretionary decision that unnecessarily exposes the customer and the employees to the potential of contamination. Therefore, charter and party operations are prohibited until the Executive Orders expire on June 10, 2020.
The recreational cobia season starts June 1, 2020. Please visit the following web page for information on permitting and reporting for the 2020 season. [Recreational Cobia Fishing]
April 1, 2020: Commercial fishermen and other maritime industry workers affected by COVID-19 pandemic should visit the Virginia Employment Commission website to file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits. [VEC]
March 31, 2020: Boating and Executive Order 55: The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) remind all Virginians to follow the directive of the Governor's recently-released Executive Order 55 while enjoying the outdoors, whether on land or water. The Executive Order permits continued engagement in outdoor activities that can be beneficial to us all, while including safeguards that are necessary for the protection of yourself and the public. While enjoying time in or around the water or on public recreational lands, always maintain adequate social distancing of at least six feet from other individuals who are not family, household members, or caretakers at all times. You should also follow the prohibition of gatherings of 10 or more individuals which includes:
- When present at access points for fishing or boating, whether state or locally-owned;DGIF and VMRC want the outdoors to be a place of safe escape for you during this difficult time, and our ability to continue to promote this depends upon your assistance. The basic precautions contained in the Executive Order are necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Virginia and protect everyone's safety. DGIF's Conservation Police Officers and VMRC's Marine Police Officers will be monitoring our water access points and activities on the water and our lands to ensure compliance with the Executive Order, address problem areas, and to promote your well-being. Please do your part to help protect yourself and other Virginians and keep our outdoors available and safe to all of us.
March 30, 2020: Virginia Extends Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery until April 30, 2020. Pursuant to the authority afforded to the Commissioner by the Governor's Executive Order 51( C) and in agreement with the Secretary of Natural Resources, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission is waiving the listed dates in 4 VAC 20-620-40 C. The offshore directed summer flounder fishery will remain open until midnight Thursday, April 30, 2020. All other regulations pertaining to the summer flounder fishery remain in effect. [Notice]
March 23, 2020: Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind project has announced an upcoming deployment of a new metbuoy and offshore survey work within and near the Kitty Hawk Offshore wind lease area. [Notice]
March 17, 2020: Click on the following link for important interim procedures for commercial fishermen and JPA Permit Holders and Applicants during VMRC's COVID-19 office closure [VMRC COVID-19 Interim Procedures]
March 16, 2020: the VMRC main office on Ft. Monroe and other agency field offices are closed until further notice per Governor Northam's closure of all State facilities in the Peninsula Health District as a result of a small cluster of COVID-19 cases on the Peninsula. Next week's Commission meeting scheduled for March 24, 2020 has been cancelled. The Commission's Marine Police Operations Center will remain open for emergency services only, and Marine Police Officers will remain in the field. Citizens are encouraged to use the Agency's toll free number, 800-541-4646, to report emergencies, boating accidents and marine resource violations. For additional information visit the Governor's COVID-19 web page. [Virginia COVID-19 Updates]
March 13, 2020: the blue crab season starts next Tuesday, March 17, for commercial crab and peeler pots and two recreational crab pots. The season for all other commercial crab gears will open Wednesday, April 1 and the season for the recreational five pot license opens June 1. If you're catching blue crabs recreationally, check out the VMRC's new recreational crabbing page for more information on licensing, seasons, size limits, possession limits, sponge crabs, and gear restrictions. For an index of commercial crab regulations, see here.
March 11, 2020: VMRC seeks participants for its new Menhaden Management Advisory Committee (MMAC): The Virginia Marine Resources Commission is seeking individuals with knowledge of the menhaden resource to participate in it new Menhaden Management Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to provide guidance to the VMRC on the sustainable management of the menhaden resource and harvest of the bait and reduction fisheries in the waters of the Commonwealth, including the Chesapeake Bay. Per the Code of Virginia, the Committee shall consist of nonlegislative citizen members who are residents of the Commonwealth and will be appointed by the Commissioner. Representation will include one person from each of the following: 1) the menhaden reduction fishery; 2) the menhaden bait fishery; 3) a labor organization involved in the menhaden fishery; 4) a recreational angler; 5) a member of a Virginia-based conservation organization; 6) the sportfishing industry; and 7) the Virginia appointee to the Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Up to five at-large seats may be appointed at the discretion of the Commissioner.
Applications are available at [MMAC Membership Application]. Applications and inquiries should be sent to fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov (Attn: MMAC in the subject header). Deadline for applications is close of business on March 27th.
March 4, 2020: REMINDER FOR COMMERCIAL SPECKLED TROUT HARVESTERS AND BUYERS: Effective 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 16, 2019, the 2019/2020 Virginia commercial speckled trout fishery has closed, and will remain closed until September 1, 2020. Based upon landing reports from Virginia seafood buyers and speckled trout harvesters, Virginia has harvested and landed 100% of the 51,104 pound quota. [Notice]
March 2, 2020: VMRC will be hosting public scoping hearings for ASMFC and MAFMC at 5 PM and 6 PM at the VMRC Main Office. At 5 PM, ASMFC staff will present information on the Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass, and Scup Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment. At 6 PM, VMRC staff will present information on the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. Supplemental below. Comments may be submitted at the public hearings or online at these links [ASMFC SFSBSB Comments | MAFMC Bluefish Comments]. Scoping and Public Information Documents can be found at the preceding comments links. For more information, contact Chief of Fisheries Pat Geer at Pat.Geer@mrc.virginia.gov.
February 27, 2020: The procedure for obtaining a Shellfish Icing Permit during Warm Water Harvest has changed. See [Notice]
February 25, 2020: The results of today's Commission meeting have been posted. [Meeting Summary]
As of Tuesday February 18, 2020, 80% of Virginia's 2019/2020 commercial
spiny dogfish quota has been landed. Chapter 4VAC 20-490-46, states that when it
has been projected and announced by the Marine Resources Commission that 80% of
the Virginia spiny dogfish quota has been landed, each Virginia seafood buyer
shall call the Marine Resources Commission's interactive voice recording system
on a daily basis to report the exact weight of spiny dogfish received or
purchased, in pounds. If you are a federal dealer that purchases spiny dogfish,
you can meet this reporting requirement by calling 757-552-6413. [Notice]
January 29, 2020: Effective 12:01 A.M., Monday, February 24, 2020, the Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will open for vessels with a Virginia Summer Flounder Endorsement License. The landing limit for the Offshore (EEZ) Fishery from February 24 through March 31, 2020 is 12,500 pounds. Vessels may land a maximum of 12,500 pounds for the entire period of February 24 through March 31, 2020. [Notice]
January 29, 2020: VMRC staff member Vernon "Brody" Rowe, and former VMRC
staff member, Vas Dunstan, were awarded Certificates of Valor by the USCG for
their heroic, lifesaving actions during an July 2018 boating accident on the
James River. Mr. Rowe and Mr. Dunstan worked together to assist and revive an
unconscious and drowning passenger of recreational boat that had collided with a
commercial barge, and were credited with saving the boaters life. For other
results of yesterday's Commission meeting click on the following link. [Meeting
Summary]
January 28, 2020: Fish on! The 2020
February recreational black sea bass fishing season will start February 1st and
end on February 29th, 2020. We want to remind all anglers that a recreational
black sea bass permit is required ONLY for the captain or operator of the vessel
and that it is their responsibility to report all trips taken and black sea bass
caught or released during the 2020 February recreational black sea bass season.
For more details, see the following link. [Notice]
January 27, 2020:
ATTENTION shellfish harvesters working in vicinity of VDH condemned areas:
beginning in 2017, the Commission made available a mobile app that uses
smartphone GPS to show the phone users position relative to shellfish leases and
other map features, including condemnation zones provided by VDH. If you are
user of the VMRC map app please be advised that the app while designed to update
map information regularly may not automatically update on all models of mobile
devices. If you are using the app to determine condemned areas relative to open
harvest areas please make sure the VMRC map app on your phone is up to date and
properly displaying the condemnation zones. One place to check is under the
app's Open Oyster Harvest Area menu option, you should see open harvest areas
(in olive green) and VDH condemnation zones (in light purple). If you are not
seeing the condemnation zones properly please reinstall the app or use the
"Download Map Overlays" feature under the App Options menu choice. The app is
available from the Apple or Google app stores, search for "VMRC Maps" on your
smartphone to install. As all harvesters are already aware, it is critical that
shellfish not be harvested in areas closed by MRC or VDH. It is the harvester's
responsibility to always be aware of MRC and VDH closures and make responsible
use of online web and web map tools to ensure they work only in areas open to
harvest and not closed due to VDH condemnations. Note that the "VDH Shellfish
Safety Notifications" web page is the best place to view the most up to date VDH
closure information. Please use the following links to learn more about online
map resources to help you determine open harvest areas and areas closed by VDH.
[VDH
Shellfish Safety Notifications |
VDH Web Map |
VMRC Map App
|
MRC Web Map]
January 24, 2020: The Virginia
Department of Health, Division of Shellfish Safety announces the issuance of
Emergency Shellfish Condemnation # 046-081A "Allens Island" in the York River
near the mouth of the Perrin River effective Friday January 24, 2020 through
Thursday February 13, 2020. This closure is a result of notification of a
Norovirus Outbreak in Central Virginia with an epidemiological link to shellfish
harvested from a private lease located in this area. These waters are scheduled
to reopen on Friday February 14, 2020. Please direct any questions to Division
of Shellfish Safety Central Office staff at 804-864-7480. [VDH
Notice]
January 13, 2020: Avangrid Renewables, the developer
of the Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Project has posted their
Fisheries Communications Plan.
January 11, 2020: Out of an abundance of
caution and in consultation with FDA, the Division of Shellfish Safety announces
emergency closure # 031-102A "Parrott Island" in the Rappahannock River has been
reissued extending the closed period from Saturday January 11, 2020 through
Wednesday January 15, 2020. Click on the emergency closure referenced on the
Division's home page at
www.vdh.virginia.gov/shellfish. These waters are scheduled to reopen on
Thursday January 16, 2020. Please direct any questions to Division of Shellfish
Safety Central Office staff at 804-864-7480.
