December 21, 2021: Notice of a state record Tripletail catch by Hayden Head of Yorktown. [ 07/14/2021 State Record Tripletail ]
December 20, 2021: Effective 12:01 A.M., Saturday, January 1, 2022, the 2021 Virginia commercial croaker fishery will close. The fishery will remain closed until January 15, 2022. [ Notice ]
December 08, 2021: Results of the December 7th Commission meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
December 07, 2021: OPENING OF VIRGINIA'S FALL PERIOD THREE DIRECTED OFFSHORE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY: Effective 12:01 A.M., Wednesday December 8, 2021, the Fall Period Three 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 December 8 through December 31, 2021 is 12,500 pounds. Vessels may land a maximum of 12,500 pounds for the entire period of December 8 through December 31, 2021. [ Notice ]
December 06, 2021: Effective 12:01 A.M., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Thursday, December 9, 2021, the Virginia Commercial Spot Fishery will close. The fishery will remain closed until April 15, 2022. [Notice]
November 18, 2021: As of November 1, the US Coast Guard cold water requirements for commercial fishing vessels are in effect. Check the links below to find out if your vessel is in compliance. https://www.fishsafe.info/. [further info]
November 08, 2021: The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently approved approximately $50 million in funds to seafood processors, processing vessels, and dealers in 25 coastal states and territories to defray expenses accrued addressing safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Notice]
October 27, 2021: Effective 11:59 P.M., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Sunday, October 31, 2021, the Fall Period One Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will close. Effective 12:01 A.M., Monday November 1, 2021, the Fall Period Two 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 November 1 through December 31, 2021 is 12,000 pounds. [Notice]
October 26, 2021: Results of the October 26th Commission meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
October 14, 2021: Effective 6:00 P.M., Sunday, October 17, 2021, the 2021/2022 Virginia directed 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 Sunday, October 17, 2021, it shall be unlawful for any commercial fisherman registration licensee to take, harvest, land, or possess more than the daily incidental catch limit for the remainder of the fishing year. [Notice]
September 28, 2021: Results of the September 28th Commission meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
September 23, 2021: On Wednesday September 23, 2021, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced the adjustment to the 2021 Winter II commercial scup quota and per-trip Federal landing limit. The Winter II period will run from October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. During this period, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess aboard any vessel or to land in Virginia any amount of scup totaling more than 21,000 pounds.
If you have questions or comments contact Jill Ramsey at (757) 247-2243. [Notice]
September 16, 2021: Fish On! Free Fishing Days Established for Recreational Fishing in Virginia Saltwater areas for the first weekend in October 1-3, 2021. If you've always wanted to try fishing, now is your chance without needing to purchase a saltwater license! Early fall is an excellent time to test Virginia’s saltwaters--air and water temperatures have begun to cool and the fish are more active than during the hot summer time. So take advantage of the free fishing days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 1, 2 and 3, 2021, and enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends without having to spend money for a saltwater fishing license. [Commissioner's Proclamation]
September 15, 2021: Today is the final day of recreational cobia season for 2021! We hope you had a fun season! Make sure your reports are in by October 6, 2021. As always, if you have questions about how to meet your reporting requirements, please visit our recreational cobia website at: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/VA-recreational-cobia-fishing.shtm OR email us at fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov, subject line “COBIA”.
August 30, 2021: The VMRC-VIMS Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program recently released its 2020 Annual Report; the 25th Anniversary Report for this cooperative program that uses volunteer anglers to tag key saltwater game fish species. Follow the link to see the variety of data produced by the program. [2020 Annual Report]
August 26, 2021: Commissioner Steven G. Bowman is pleased to announce new staff additions to VMRC’s Habitat Management Division. [Press Release]
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission will be hosting a public information meeting in cooperation with the US Navy Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story (JEBLCFS) on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 from 6 – 7:30 PM at the VMRC Main Office located at 380 Fenwick Road, Fort Monroe VA, 23651. This meeting will provide information on allowed fishing activities in specific Chesapeake Bay areas near Lynnhaven. [Notice | Naval Training Area 1 Map | Naval Training Area 2-4 Map]
August 25, 2021: ATTENTION SUMMER FLOUNDER INDUSTRY: Effective 12:01 A.M., Wednesday September 8, 2021, 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 September 8 through October 31, 2021 is 15,000 pounds. Vessels may land a maximum of 15,000 pounds for the entire period of September 8 through October 31, 2021. [Notice]
August 24, 2021: Results of the August 24th Commission meeting have been posted. [Commission Results | 2021-2022 Public Oyster Harvest Season]
August 23, 2021: Virginia’s 2021 Fisheries Disaster Relief Program Application Period starts today. For further details visit the Fisheries Disaster Relief web page. [Press Release | Fisheries Disaster Relief]
ATTENTION COMMERCIAL SPECKLED TROUT BUYERS: The 2021-2022 commercial speckled trout season will open from September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022. Chapter 4 VAC 20-280-55 requires any licensed seafood buyer to report daily purchases, from August 1 through November 30, until the commission announces that the directed commercial landings quota has been reached for the current fishing year. Please call the Commission’s Interactive Voice Recording System (800-937-9247, Option 1 then Option 5) and report any purchases of speckled trout, in pounds, on a daily basis. [Notice]
August 18, 2021: The Secretary of Natural Resources is seeking public input for building the Coastal Master Resilience Plan, which will identify and address current and future flooding challenges for communities along the Virginia coastline. Take the VACRMP Survey and tell us about flooding in your area and how we can help your community. “Diverse citizen participation is necessary for the successful implementation of a Commonwealth-wide approach to addressing problems associated with sea level rise and climate change in Virginia” Commissioner Steve Bowman. [Take the Survey]
August 12, 2021: Virginia’s 2021 Fisheries Disaster Relief Program Application Period starts August 23, 2021. Virginia’s spending plan for the 2021 Fisheries Disaster relief program is 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 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The VMRC is pleased to announce that the application process for the 2021 Fisheries Disaster Relief Program will open Monday August 23, 2021 and will run through Thursday, September 30, 2021. The VMRC will contact individuals who participate in the Virginia seafood industry and may be eligible based on licensing and reported activity. For further details visit the Fisheries Disaster Relief web page. [Press Release | Fisheries Disaster Relief]
August 10, 2021: Effective 11:59 P.M., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will close. Vessels that have entered Virginia waters and secured to an offloading site prior to 11:59 P.M., EDT, Sunday, August 15, 2021, may possess and offload up to 12,500 pounds of summer flounder, minus any previous landings since June 15, 2021. If you have questions or comments, contact Jill Ramsey at (757) 247-2243. [Notice]
August 9, 2021: Captain Chris Newsome of Cobbs Creek, VA has been appointed to the Commission board by Governor Ralph Northam. Christy Everett of Norfolk, VA has also been appointed to a second term on the Commission by the Governor. Visit our board members page to learn more about our Associate Commissioners. [Board Members]
July 29, 2021: Commission Approves Shrimp Trawl Fishery
On July 27, 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. This limited entry fishery will encompass the coastal waters of the state off Virginia Beach and will begin October 1. Those interested in participating in this fishery must complete and submit a license application no later than August 31st. Those who possessed a Special Experimental Trawl Permit from the Commission between 2017 through 2020, meet minimum shrimp harvest requirements, and submit an application prior to the deadline will qualify for a license. All other applicants will be placed in a lottery for remaining licenses.
The Eastern Shore Trawl Area will remain an experimental fishery given limited information has been collected to date. A separate application is available for these permits and must be received no later than August 31st. Four permits are available for the Eastern Shore and will be selected through a separate lottery. The Eastern Shore season will begin November 1. Individuals can apply for both the Virginia Beach Shrimp Trawl License and Eastern Shore Special Experimental Trawl Permit but can only participate in one area. If selected for both areas, an individual will need to choose which area they want to work. Applications and detailed information concerning the Virginia Beach Shrimp Trawl License and the Eastern Shore Special Experimental Trawl permits are available at the links below:
Virginia Beach Shrimp Trawl License Application and Information [Virginia Beach letter & application]
Eastern Shore Special Experimental Trawl Permit Application and Information [Eastern shore letter & application]
Applications for both must be received by 5pm on August 31st. For questions: Email fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov, Subject Header "Shrimp"
July 28, 2021: Results of the July 27th Commission meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
July 27, 2021: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) voted to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-280-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Speckled Trout" to establish an incidental daily catch limit of 50 pounds per Commercial Fisherman Registration Licensee or a 100 pound daily vessel limit, whichever is most restrictive, when the Commission has announced that the directed commercial fishing quota has been reached. The regulatory amendment will go into effect September 1, 2021.
July 21, 2021: The Commission is pleased to announce that Rachael Peabody has accepted the position of Senior Advisor for Coastal Adaptation and Ecosystem Restoration. This new position will serve as the chief science and policy advisor to the Commissioner on matters of climate change, coastal resilience, and habitat restoration and represent the Commissioner on matters related to the Chesapeake Bay Program and Virginia Watershed Implementation Plan, the Coastal Master Plan Technical Advisory Committee and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Coastal Policy Team. [Press Release]
July 12, 2021: Effective July 1, 2020, the Virginia Department of State Police, Uniform Crime Reporting Unit began the collection of investigatory stop data based on the creation of the Community Policing Act. Statewide data can be viewed online at the following link (look for agency name starting with "Virginia Marine Police" to see data associated with Commission law enforcement activities): [Community Policing Data Collection]
June 25, 2021: On June 24, 2021, National Marine Fisheries Service announced a commercial federal waters closure for the Atlantic Migratory Group Spanish Mackerel Northern Zone, to take effect 12:01 am on June 28, 2021. Beginning 12:01 am June 28, 2021, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess or land in Virginia any amount of Spanish mackerel in excess of 500 pounds from any vessel in any one day. [ Notice ]
June 22, 2021: Results of the June 22nd Commission meeting have been posted. [ Commission Results ]
June 15, 2021: The Commissioner announces free fishing days for recreational anglers in Virginia salt waters. [ Notice ]
June 10, 2021: The Draft Spend Plan for the 2021 Virginia Fisheries Disaster Relief Program is now available for review. The spend plan is the funding proposal on how to manage applications and funding for the 2021 disaster relief program and must be approved by NOAA before any action may be taken. Once approved, VMRC will distribute information on how and when industry members may apply. No action is necessary at this time for interested applicants. Please provide any comments to covid19relief@mrc.virginia.gov no later than June 25th, 2021. [Draft Spend Plan]
June 4, 2021: This Event has been changed to October 1-3, 2021. Fish On! Free Fishing Days Established for Recreational Fishing in Virginia Saltwater areas for June 4-6, 2021. If you've always wanted to try fishing, now is your chance! You may recreationally fish without a license again this year, during the first full weekend in June. Take advantage of the free fishing days, June 4, 5, and 6, 2021, and enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends without having to spend money for a fishing license.
June 3, 2021: In keeping with the Governor’s directives and the CDC guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission Headquarters and field offices will be re-opening on July 6th, 2021 for general business. All visitors to Commission facilities are asked to abide by the most recent CDC guidance. Although Commission offices will remain closed for general business until July 6th, the Commission’s next monthly meeting will be held on June 22, 2021 at 9:30AM at the Commission’s Headquarters on Ft. Monroe (380 Fenwick Road, Ft. Monroe, 23651). The meeting will not be virtual and all testimony will be heard in person. The meeting will be streamed on YouTube, but testimony will not be taken electronically. Visitors attending the June meeting should check in at the agency reception area; all participants are asked to abide by the most recent CDC guidance. [Governor’s Press Release | CDC Guidance | June 22 Meeting Information]
June 2, 2021: VMRC has eased all guidelines for the Charter for Hire industry operations during COVID-19, effective immediately. This is in response to Governor Ralph Northam lifting Virginia’s universal indoor mask mandate and easing all distancing and capacity restrictions to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) effective Friday, May 28, 2021. Therefore, all Charter for Hire businesses may operate under the newest CDC recommended guidance, which can be found here. For more information, please view the Governor's press release.
June 1, 2021: Horseshoe Crab Dredge Category Permit commercial fishery will close beginning at 12 midnight, on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. [Public Notice]
May 27, 2021: Help Us Make a Day on the Water Safe and Enjoyable for all Virginians: Recreational and commercial fishermen, for-hire vessels, and recreational watercraft all share a common love of the waters of Virginia’s coastline and the Chesapeake Bay. However, there may sometimes be different priorities among and within these groups that may lead to an occasional conflict or negative interaction. Everyone shares a responsibility when out on the water to keep things safe and respectful.
Please report unsafe situations and violations to Virginia’s Marine Police to protect Virginia’s beloved marine resources and those who depend on them. If you see something unsafe, or someone breaking the law, please call the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Marine Police at 800-541-4646. The VMRC Law Enforcement Division takes water safety and violations very seriously. Each report is logged by a dispatcher and assigned a case number for a Marine Patrol Officer to investigate. Please note that providing false, or misleading claims to a law enforcement official is a violation of §18.2-461 of the Code of Virginia, and may be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
There are countless opportunities and reasons to get out on the waters of Virginia. Please be courteous respectful, and mindful of others at boat ramps, marinas, and while on the state’s beautiful waterways.
May 26, 2021: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) yesterday voted to approve the Tidal Wetlands Guidelines Update (the Guidelines) at its monthly Commission meeting. The updated Guidelines include additional standards that will ensure protection of shorelines and sensitive coastal habitats from sea level rise and coastal hazards. [Press Release]
May 26, 2021: Effective 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 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 June 15 through August 15, 2021 is 12,500 pounds. Vessels may land a maximum of 12,500 pounds for the entire period of June 15 through August 15, 2021. [Notice]
May 25, 2021: Results of the May 25th Commission electronic meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
May 24, 2021:The Crab Management Advisory Committee (FMAC) will meet electronically on June 2 at 4 PM. Staff will review the results of the 2021 winter dredge survey and discuss possible management measures. Please visit the link below https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm
May 21, 2021: The results of the 2021 Bay-wide Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey have been released. See Virginia’s press release for more information about the state of blue crab abundance in Chesapeake Bay. [Press Release]
May 5, 2021: The Finfish Management Advisory Committee (FMAC) will meet electronically on May 17 at 5 PM. The intent of this meeting is to gather stakeholder feedback on the current state of the commercial speckled trout fishery. The goal is to use this feedback for an evaluation of this fishery and potentially implement management changes with consideration of the current state of the fishery using both scientific and industry input. Please visit the link below to find information on how to attend the electronic FMAC meeting: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm
April 30, 2021: the Horseshoe Crab General Category Permit (Gill Nets) commercial fishery will close beginning at 12 midnight, on Friday, April 30th, 2021. [Notice]
April 29, 2021: The guidelines document describing policies and procedures of the Commission related to the review, and subsequent renewal, or denial of oyster planting grounds pursuant to 28.2-613 of the Code of Virginia were adopted March 23. 2021 and made effective April 1, 2021. [Lease Renewal Guidelines]
April 27, 2021: Results of the April 27th Commission electronic meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
April 14, 2021: Effective 12:01 A.M., Thursday, April 15, 2021, two new regulations for Atlantic croaker and spot are established for the Commonwealth. These regulations include the implementation of commercial seasons. [Notice]
April 5, 2021: Effective 11:59 P.M., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Wednesday, April 7, 2021, the Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will close. [Notice]
March 31, 2021: On March 29, 2021 NOAA Fisheries announced the allocation of $255 million in fisheries assistance to states and territories with coastal and marine fishery participants who have been negatively affected by COVID-19. The Virginia-specific portion of this fisheries assistance $3.7 million. At this time, no specific action is needed for those in Virginia’s fishing industries who are interested in applying for assistance. Details about eligibility and the application process will be emailed and posted to the VMRC COVID-19 Disaster Relief page and the agency’s social media when available.
For more information concerning Virginia’s Fisheries Disaster Relief, please visit: https://mrc.virginia.gov/Notices/2020/VMRC-COVID-19-DISASTER-RELIEF.shtm
March 25, 2021: VMRC welcomes Jake Guy, a new Marine Police Officer on the Eastern Shore that started work 3/1/2021. Click on the link to learn about our most recent employee. [Jake Guy]
March 24, 2021: The Menhaden Management Advisory Committee (MMAC) will meet on Wednesday, March 31 at 4 PM to review the life history, biology, ecology, and management history of Atlantic menhaden, and to discuss potential commercial/recreational user conflicts near Virginia Beach and a commercial safety zone around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Please visit the following link to find information on how to attend the electronic MMAC meeting: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
March 23, 2021: Results of the March 23rd Commission electronic meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
March 19, 2021: The public comment period on the Commission's proposed revised Wetlands Guidelines has been extended to April 16, 2021. Public comments should be provided via email to wetlandsguidelines@mrc.virginia.gov with the subject heading "Wetlands Guidelines Comments" by Friday, April 16, 2021. [Public Notice | Proposed Wetlands Guidelines]
March 17, 2021: Reminder to Commercial Striped Bass Permit Holders and Buyers: The maximum size limit for all commercial harvest of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay area shall be 28 inches from March 15 through June 15. Please refer to 4 VAC 20-252-10 et seq. "Pertaining to the taking of striped bass" for other regulatory information.
March 17, 2021 WASHINGTON -- U.S. Coast Guard announces new law requiring use of engine cut-off switches: Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL) as of April 1, 2021, as the U.S. Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress. [USCG News Release]
March 11, 2021: PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard Sector Virginia reminds recreational boaters and paddlers to be mindful of the inherent dangers of cold water temperatures as air temperatures rise in the region. [USCG News Release]
March 1, 2021: The Commission invites public comment on its proposed revised Wetlands Guidelines. Public comments should be provided via email to wetlandsguidelines@mrc.virginia.gov with the subject heading "Wetlands Guidelines Comments" by Wednesday, March 31, 2021. [Public Notice | Proposed Wetlands Guidelines]
February 26, 2021: ASMFC and MAFMC Seek Public Comment on the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment: The Council and Commission are seeking public comment on a joint amendment to consider adjusting the allocations of catch or landings between the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The commercial and recreational allocations for all three species are currently based on historical proportions of landings or catch, but recent changes in commercial catch data and how recreational catch is estimated have resulted in discrepancies between the current levels of harvest and the allocations of quota to each sector. The public are invited to attend a public hearing to provide input on these proposed changes. VMRC will host a public hearing on Monday, March 1, from 6-8 PM. [To register for the virtual Public Hearing | MAFMC Public Hearing Document (a summary) | ASMFC Draft Amendment]
ASMFC Seeks Public Comment on the Atlantic Striped Bass Public Information Document for Draft Amendment 7: This is the first opportunity for the public to comment on what issues should be addressed in Amendment 7 of the Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan. The 2018 stock assessment found the female spawning stock biomass has been the below the threshold since 2013, indicating the species is overfished. The public are invited to attend public hearings to provide input on these and other issues of concern as the amendment is developed. VMRC will host a public hearing on Wednesday March 10th from 6 to 8pm. [To register for the virtual Public Hearing | Public Information Document]
ASMFC and MAFMC Seek Public Comment on the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment: The Council and Commission are seeking public comment on management options under consideration in the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. The amendment contains alternatives to: 1) revise the fishery management plan (FMP) goals and objectives; 2) modify the bluefish allocations between commercial and recreational sectors; 3) modify commercial allocations to the states; 4) initiate a rebuilding plan; 5) revise the quota transfer processes; 6) Revise how the FMP accounts for management uncertainty; and 6) revise the de minimis provisions in the Commission’s FMP. The public are invited to attend a public hearing to provide input on these proposed changes. VMRC will host a public hearing on Thursday, March 25, from 6-8 PM. [To register for the virtual Public Hearing | MAFMC Public Hearing Document (a summary) | ASMFC Draft Amendment]
February 23, 2021: Results of the February 23rd Commission electronic meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
February 9, 2021: "On January 4, 2021 Hampton Roads Sanitation District suffered a major sewer line break which spilled 29 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Hampton Roads waterway in Newport News. Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Division of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards (DSS) immediately issued an emergency closure for the impacted shellfish harvesting waters which includes all waters in the Hampton Roads waterway, the waters between the James River Bridge and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, waters West to the Mills E. Godwin Bridge across the Nansemond River, and all of the Chuckatuck River. A map of the closure can be found at: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/emergency-closures/. The closure is a measure to protect public health by preventing shellfish harvesting in areas with bacteria and viruses from the sewage. Additional information on the spill can be found here (link to post on our site). For future information regarding this shellfish closure and others please continue to consult the VDH DSS website". [VDH Notice]
February 5, 2021: Commission web applications will be offline for system maintenance on Saturday, 2/6/21 from 8AM 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.
January 27, 2021: 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 June 30, 2021 obtain a Virginia Guide License or a Virginia Fishing Guide Reciprocity Permit until the earlier of either October 31, 2021 OR one year after the initial expiration date of the credential (i.e., one year after the expiration date printed on the credential). 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 Bulletin].
January 27, 2021: Effective 12:01 A.M., Thursday, February 25, 2021, 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 25 through April 7, 2021 is 15,000 pounds. Vessels may land a maximum of 15,000 pounds for the entire period of February 25 through April 7, 2021. [Notice]
January 26, 2021: Results of the January 26th Commission electronic meeting have been posted. [Commission Results]
January 25, 2021: VMRC welcomes Felicia Carmichael, our new Director of Human Resources Diversity and Inclusion that started work 1/11/2021. Click on the link to learn about our most recent employee. [Felicia Carmichael]
January 21, 2021: The Virginia Department of Health, Division of Shellfish Safety announced the existing emergency shellfish closure in a portion of the James River and its tributaries located in Newport News, Suffolk and Isle of Wight County, will be extended through Wednesday February 3, 2021. [VDH Closure Notice]
January 20, 2021: Existing State Record Swordfish Crushed! A 597-pound swordfish, caught September 25, 2020 by Nicholas Kontodiakos of Norfolk, VA, has been certified as the new Virginia State Record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. [VSWFT Announcement]
January 12, 2021: The Shellfish Management Advisory Committee (SMAC) will meet virtually on January 21, 2021. The meeting time will be 3:30 – 5:30 pm. The primary order of business will likely be the 2021 oyster restoration and replenishment plan (ORP). A more detailed agenda and additional information on the meeting will be sent out prior to the meeting and posted on the VMRC meeting calendar.
January 12, 2021: Attention Virginia Black Sea Bass Anglers, the 2021 February recreational black sea bass fishing season will start February 1st and end on February 28th, 2021. We want to remind all anglers that a recreational black sea bass permit [ sign up here ] is required for ONLY the captain or operator of the vessel and that it is their responsibility to report all black sea bass caught or released and all trips taken during the 2021 February recreational black sea bass season. Click on the notice link for more details on the 2021 black sea bass season. [Notice]
January 6, 2021 REMINDER: Beginning January 1st, 2021 all mandatory reporting of commercial oyster harvest and clams harvested on private ground is required to be submitted using the VMRC online reporting system. The link to the online reporting web application ishere, along with additional information for first time users. The agency will no longer accept or process any traditional paper reports that include oysters or private ground clam harvest.
January 5, 2021: The Spot/Croaker Task Force will be meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 4:00PM online via WebEx. We will be discussing upcoming management measures mandated by ASMFC. Please visit the following link to find information on how to attend the electronic Spot/Croaker Task Force meeting: https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm.
January 5, 2021: The Virginia Department of Health Division of Shellfish Safety announced today that a portion of the James River and its tributaries, located in Newport News, Suffolk and Isle of Wight County, is temporarily closed to shellfish harvesting due to a significant sewage release impacting water quality. Due to potential microbiological pollution hazards, shellfish taken from the area affected by the emergency closure are currently unacceptable for consumption. This emergency closure will impact the area of public harvest grounds currently open to harvest known as James River Area 3, from the Rt. 17 James River Bridge south to the Monitor Merrimac Bridge, the harvest areas in the mouth of the Nansemond River upstream to the Rt. 17 Nansemond River Bridge will also be impacted. The temporary emergency closure is effective Tuesday January 5, 2021, and is currently scheduled to reopen effective Tuesday January 26, 2021. A map and report of the affected area is posted on the Division of Shellfish Safety's home page at www.vdh.virginia.gov/Shellfish/. The affected shellfish are bivalve mollusks including oysters and clams, but not crabs or finfish. For more information on shellfish closures, see the frequently asked questions on shellfish condemnations at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/shellfish-sanitation/frequently-asked-questions/.
