Publice Notice

CLOSURE OF VIRGINIA'S HORSESHOE CRAB FISHERY 

Effective 6 PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Monday, June 19, the commercial fishery for horseshoe crabs will close. 

Based upon landing reports from VMRC's Interactive Voice Response System, Virginia seafood buyers and VMRC Law Enforcement, it is projected that Virginia will have landed its yearly quota of 152,495 crabs by the above date and time. Regulation 4 VAC 20 900 10 et seq. establishes, "It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest from Virginia waters, or to land in Virginia any horseshoe crab for commercial purposes, after the landing quota has been attained and announced."

Therefore, after 6 PM, EDT, June 19, 2006, the harvest or landing of any horseshoe crab for commercial purposes, in Virginia, shall be prohibited.

If you have questions or comments contact Lewis Gillingham at (757) 247 2243.