The Commission has announced they are accepting applications for the 2024 Eastern Shore Experimental Shrimp Trawl Fishery scheduled to open September 15. 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 2024. Eastern Shore permittees will be selected through a lottery from all applicants received by the July 22nd deadline. 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 July 22nd.
For questions: Email fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov, Subject Header "Shrimp Trawl"
