The VMRC main office on Ft. Monroe and other agency field offices are closed
until July 6, 2021
as a result of State office closures related to the COVID-19 virus. Please use the
notifications below to see interim MRC procedures in effect during the office
closure, and other COVID-19 related announcements.
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 on the coronavirus pandemic visit the Governor's COVID-19 web page.[ Virginia
COVID-19 Updates ]
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.
March 23, 2021: Virginia has fully distributed all of the funds from the first round of disaster relief from the 2020 Cares Act Disaster Relief Program.
In December 2020, a second major COVID relief package was signed. At this time,
Virginia does not know how much funding will be allocated to the state nor when
we will receive the funding. This page will be updated as soon as new
information is received. All available details on the second relief package are
at this web link: [ VMRC Disaster Relief Website ]
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 7, 2021: Update on Interim procedures for commercial fishermen during MRC's COVID-19 office closure:
Commercial Fishermen:
A 30 day allowance for 2021 commercial registration and associated gear licenses
will be granted due to major delays in the US Postal Service associated with
unprecedented volume increases resulting from COVID-19. You must keep a copy
of your 2020 commercial registration on and gear licenses on your vessel until
you receive your new documents. This will allow those commercial fishermen who
have submitted their 2021 license applications to continue to fish the start of
the year while they wait for their application to be processed and returned via
mail. This expires January 31st, 2021. You must have possession of your
commercial registration and associated gear licenses to fish on February 1, 2021
For commercial Striped Bass quota holders and commercial Tautog
fishermen: To receive your tags, your commercial registration renewals for
2021 must be received and processed by our licensing department in order for you
to receive your tags and/or permits.
The VMRC offices remain
closed to the public with license renewals being conducting by mail by sending
to: VMRC Licenses, Building 96, 380 Fenwick Rd, Fort Monroe, VA, 23651. A drop
box is also available at this location for your convenience. Walk-in license
renewals cannot be honored during the office closure under the Governor’s
Executive Order 55. This 30 day allowance is meant to account for the delays in
the postal service and is not an extension of the 2020 licensing year.
The Commercial License renewal deadline remains April 30th and staff
strongly recommend license holders submit their applications well before the
deadline to avoid interruptions to planned fishing activities. Applicants
should maintain a copy of their application, check payment or money order, and
stamped addressed envelope as evidence of submittal.
December 18, 2020: The VMRC is currently reviewing Round Two applications for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and VMRC expects the process to take several weeks. No further action is required from these applicants at this time.
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 ]
November 12, 2020: The VMRC is pleased to announce
that the Round Two application process for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security (CARES) Act funding opens Monday, November 16 and will run
through Friday, December 4, 2020. Round Two funding is intended for people
working for marine fishery-related businesses who have direct or indirect
economic revenue losses due to COVID-19 and were not included in Round One
relief funding. This includes individuals that were not MRC license holders
(do not have MRC IDs), such as, but not limited to mates, helpers or workers
at a dealer or processing plant. Round Two applications can also be
completed for Round One applicants who believe they were improperly denied
funds. Online applications are strongly encouraged 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. [ VMRC Disaster Relief Website ]
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.
[ VMRC Disaster Relief
Website ]
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. [ VMRC
Disaster Relief Website ]
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.
August 18, 2020: Crab Agents: Individuals who would like to use a crab
agent for the remainder of the 2020 crabbing season can do so without a crab
agent permit as long as the agent is in possession of your current 2020 CFRL
card and corresponding 2020 gear license. For the 2021 crabbing season, an
approved crab agent application WILL BE required to be an agent. Crab agents
applications are available online at [ Crab Agent Application Form ] and can be
mailed to the agency or emailed to
jennifer.farmer@mrc.virginia.gov.
Applications can be sent in starting January 1, 2021.
August 12, 2020: the COVID related grace period for commercial fishing
licensing will end August 31st, after that date a 2020 Commercial Fishing
Registration License and any 2020 gear licenses or permits, such as crab pots, gill nets, and oyster gear will
be required to fish. The following notice explains how to get your license if
you have not already. [ Notice ]
July 21, 2020: Beginning the week of July 27, 2020, VMRC
will resume commercial striped bass transfers in accordance with 4 VAC
20-252-160-D 1&2 on a modified schedule. Transfers are by appointment only and
will take place on Wednesday afternoons at the Main Office Location at Fort
Monroe. If you would like to make an appointment please contact Jill Ramsey at
757-247-2243 or Jill.Ramsey@mrc.virginia.gov. The posted guidelines must be
followed to complete each transfer. [ Tag
Transfer Guidelines ]
July 9, 2020: VMRC is seeking feedback on a
draft spend plan
on how to effectively distribute disaster relief money to the fishing industry
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The online survey can be found here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6Y2MZZ8 And will be open for comment until
July 24, 2020. [ Draft
Spend Plan |
Online
Comments/Survey ]
For those who wish to submit comments via mail:
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
ATTN: DISASTER RELIEF
380 Fenwick Rd,
Building 96
Fort Monroe, Hampton VA 23651-1064
All mailed
comments must be postmarked by July 24.
June 26, 2020: VMRC has updated the guidelines for the Charter for Hire industry operations during COVID-19 for Safer at Home: Phase III starting July 1. The updated version adjusts the social distancing requirements to mirror those in place for restaurants and beverage services and provides recommendations for updated signage. If you have further questions, please email fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov. [ Revised Charter Fishing Operating Guidelines 06/26/2020 ]
June 8, 2020: The public notice and draft regulations for the electronic-only June Commission
meeting have been posted on the calendar page. [ Calendar ]
June 4, 2020: VMRC has updated our guidelines for the Charter for Hire
industry operations during COVID-19 for Phase II reopening. The updated
version clarifies VMRC authorities and removes the specific boat size
capacity restrictions and shelter-in-place family allowance. For-hire and
head boat capacity is limited to the number of people who can socially
distance on board, regardless if they have sheltered-in-place together or
not. Each passenger must be six feet away from the next passenger. If you
have further questions, please email
fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov. [ Revised
Charter Fishing Operating Guidelines 06/05/2020 ]
June 1, 2020: Last day to complete your COVID-19 fisheries disaster relief survey ! [ Survey Announcement
|
Click here to Complete Your Fisheries Disaster Relief Survey ]
May 28, 2020: Updated guidelines for charter fishing vessels during
the COVID-19 pandemic have been posted.
Updated interim procedures
concerning VMRC Oyster Planting Ground Lease Renewals/Applications/Transfers
during MRC's COVID-19 office closure:
If you recently
received your ten year oyster planting ground lease renewal form, please
return before the lease term expiration date. If such forms are not received
before the renewal date the lease will not be renewed. You must also submit
the $150 renewal review fee with each lease form. We are, however,
suspending the requirement to have your signature notarized, so complete the
form, sign, and include the fee payment with the completed form.
Payment
of lease rent for the 2019-2020 lease year is due no later than June 30,
2020. Final rent statements will be mailed the week of June 1, 2020, by
certified mail. If payment is not received in the VMRC office by June 30,
the lease will be terminated.
Lease applications and requests for
transfers are still being accepted and processed. Contact the
Engineering/Surveying office if you have questions at 757-247-2225, or at
ben.stagg@mrc.virginia.gov.
May 22, 2020: the May Commission meeting being held next Tuesday will be an
electronic only meeting. Please refer to the agency web calendar for the meeting
agenda and public participation instructions, and other materials related to the
meeting. [ Calendar ]
The Survey Monkey site
used for the VMRC COVID-19 disaster relief survey released this week will be
down tomorrow (Saturday) 12 pm to 8pm for maintenance. Survey responses can be
provided through June 1. [ Survey Announcement
|
Fisheries Disaster Relief Survey ]
May 19, 2020: The Commission
has released a survey to help the agency determine priorities and ensure that
VMRC is making the best use of the limited NOAA fisheries disaster relief funds. Marine fisheries
participants, as outlined in the survey, should
respond to the survey by June 1, 2020. [ Survey Announcement
|
Fisheries Disaster Relief Survey ]
May 12, 2020: COVID-19 fisheries disaster relief program information has been
posted. [ Disaster Relief
Information Page |
Press Release ]
The Crab Management Advisory Committee (CMAC) will meet
electronically at 4:00 PM on May 21, 2020 to discuss the results of the
2019/2020 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey. Please see the Commission Calendar
(https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm) for public participation
information and an access link to be used at the meeting time.
The public notice and tentative agenda for the electronic-only May Commission
meeting has been posted. [ Public Notice |
Tentative Agenda ]
May 8, 2020: Effective May 15th and per the authority in the Governor's
Executive Orders 53 and 55, Charter Fishing Vessels are allowed to resume
operation under
the following rules. These rules were developed with input from
the industry and guidance from the CDC. These guidelines will remain in effect
until further notice from VMRC. We will continue to work with the Governor's
office to decide when to ease these guidelines. If you have any additional
questions please email fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov.
April 30, 2020: Update on Interim procedures for commercial fishermen during
MRC's COVID-19 office closure:
Commercial Fishermen:
The
license renewal deadline of April 30th has been extended until further
notice during the MRC’s COVID-19 office closure. Once the offices re-open
their will be a grace period before 2020 licenses will be required. While
the office is closed, license renewals can still be conducted by mail by
sending to: VMRC Licenses, Building 96, 380 Fenwick Rd, Fort Monroe, VA,
23651. Walk-in license renewals cannot be honored during the office closure
under the Governor’s Executive Order 55.
Commercial Fishing Licenses:
Any commercial fisherman who is unable to renew their Commercial Fisherman
Registration License during this closure will be allowed to continue to fish
with 2019 license until VMRC reopens. This would include any gear licenses
or permits associated with your Commercial Fisherman Registration License to
include crab pots, gill nets, and oyster gear. This only applies to those
individuals with a valid Commercial Fisherman Registration License for the
previous license year and will expire once the agency reopens. The agency
will post on the VMRC website when the agency will reopen.
Striped Bass license transfers, quota transfers, and additional striped bass tags
WILL NOT be able to be processed during this closure period.
Other
license transfers can be submitted by mail to: VMRC, License Transfers,
Building 96, 380 Fenwick Rd, Fort Monroe, VA, 23651.
Crab Agents: Individuals who would like to use a crab agent during this closure but have
not submitted a form can do so without an approved form as long as the agent
is in possession of your current CFRL card. Additionally, crab agents
applications are available online at:
https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/Forms/2016/Crab_Agent_Application.pdf and can
be mailed to the agency or emailed to
fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov (Subject
Header: Crab Agent). They will be processed as soon as possible. Crab agent
applications will be required once the agency reopens.
April 29, 2020:
Interim procedures regarding priority rights in regards to crab
traps and pounds
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission is waiving the
priority rights requirements in 4 VAC 20-460-15. This regulatory section
requires applicants of either crab traps or pounds to fish the licensed
location in 2020 to retain priority rights to that same location in 2021.
This waiver will allow licensees to retain their priority rights to these
locations in 2021 without having to set and report harvest from that
location in 2020. Due to fishery conditions related to the COVID-19 virus,
the setting and fishing of crab trap or pound locations may not be
reasonable in 2020. All other regulations pertaining to the use of crab
traps and pounds will remain in effect.
These actions are 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.
Virginia Extends Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery until May 31, 2020
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission is waiving the listed dates in 4
VAC 20-620-40 C. The offshore directed commercial summer flounder fishery
will remain open until midnight Sunday, May 31, 2020. All other regulations
pertaining to the summer flounder fishery remain in effect. [ Notice ]
These
actions are 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.
Interim procedures regarding Charter Captains and
expired Merchant Mariner Credentials
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 July 31, 2020 obtain a Virginia Guide License or a Virginia Fishing
Guide Reciprocity Permit through October 31, 2020. This is in response to
the closing of the USCG offices that process MMC applications and renewals
on March 19, 2020 and the USCG 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 Mariner Credentials
April 28, 2020: Results of yesterday's electronic Commission
Meeting have been posted. [ Commission
Results ]
April 27, 2020: Virginia Announces the Recreational Black Sea Bass
Season - the Virginia Marine Resources Commission is extending the
recreational black sea bass season in
4 VAC 20-950-45
to be open from May 29
to December 31. This closes the regular May 15 to December 31 season for 14
days to account for 14,236 pounds of black sea bass landed during the
February recreational season. All other regulations pertaining to the
recreational black sea bass fishery remain in effect. This action is
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.
April 23, 2020: Public participation instructions for next week's
April 28th electronic Commission meeting have been posted on the web calendar. [ Calendar ]
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 |
Notice |
Draft Menhaden Regulation ]
April 7, 2020: interim procedures regarding commercial striped bass and
tautog tags:
Striped Bass Tags/Transfers
The Virginia Marine
Resources Commission is waiving the possession restriction in 4 VAC
20-252-160 – B1. This restriction prohibits any commercial striped bass
fishermen who are issued tags for both the Chesapeake Bay Area and the
Coastal Area from possessing both Bay and Ocean tags at once. This waiver
will allow possession of Bay and Ocean tags at once, as long as only one
type of tag (Bay or Ocean) are present onboard the vessel at any given time.
This waiver remains in effect until the VMRC main office on Ft. Monroe and
other agency field offices are reopened after the state office closure
related to the COVID-19 virus.
The Virginia Marine Resources
Commission is suspending the ability to transfer striped bass Chesapeake Bay
Area and Coastal Area quota in accordance with 4 VAC 20-252-160-D 1&2, until
the VMRC main office on Ft. Monroe and other agency field offices are
reopened after the state office closure related to the COVID-19 virus.
All other regulations pertaining to the striped bass fishery remain in
effect.
These actions are 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.
Tautog Tags
The Virginia
Marine Resources Commission is waiving the commercial tautog permitting and
tagging requirements in 4 VAC 20-960-48. Any tautog landed for commercial
purposes during the March 1 2020 - May 15 2020 season do not require a tag.
Any previously permitted fishermen may continue applying and reporting their
tags, but violations will not be issued for the landing or possession of
untagged tautog from the March 1 to May 15 season. All other regulations
pertaining to the tautog fishery remain in effect and tagging regulations
for the November 1 2020 - January 21 2021 season will remain.
This action
is 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.
April 6, 2020: Updated interim procedures for VMRC JPA Permit
Holders and Applicants during MRC's COVID-19 office closure:
The Habitat Management Division has limited ability to receive and
process Joint Permit Applications submitted by regular mail through USPS, or
shipped by UPS or FedEx. Review of applications submitted in this manner may
be delayed. You may submit a pdf copy of your application by email to jpa.permits@mrc.virginia.gov
as an alternative and we will process your request electronically.
Any work authorized by VMRC permits, issued by the Habitat Management Division with expiration dates during the office closure, may continue. You are required, however, to send an email to
jpa.permits@mrc.virginia.gov to formally request an extension.
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.
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;
- The beaching of vessels on sandbars, islands or banks while out on the water;
- The "rafting" of vessels together; and the numbers of individuals present on any vessel.
- When present at outdoor recreation lands, including Wildlife Management Areas.
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 17, 2020: Interim procedures for commercial fishermen during MRC's COVID-19 office closure:
Commercial Fishermen:
Commercial Fishing Licenses: Any commercial fisherman who is unable to renew their Commercial Fisherman Registration License during this closure will be allowed to continue to fish
with 2019 license until VMRC reopens. This would include any gear licenses or permits associated with your Commercial Fisherman Registration License to
include crab pots, gill nets, and oyster gear. This only applies to those individuals with a valid Commercial Fisherman Registration License for the
previous license year and will expire once the agency reopens. The agency will
post on the VMRC website when the agency will reopen.
⁘ License transfers, quota transfers, and additional striped bass tags WILL NOT be able to
be processed during this closure period.
Crab Agents: Individuals who would like to use a crab agent during this closure but have not submitted a form
can do so without an approved form as long as the agent is in possession of your
current CFRL card. Additionally, crab agents applications are available
online at:
https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/Forms/2016/Crab_Agent_Application.pdf
and can be mailed to the agency or emailed to
fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov
(Subject Header: Crab Agent). They will be processed as soon as possible. Crab
agent applications will be required once the agency reopens.
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 ]
