2006 What's New

December 2006

December 20, 2006:  The VMRC received First Place at the 2006 Virginia State Fair for the Director's Award. The 2006 Virginia State Fair was held September 28th through October 8th at the state fair grounds in Richmond, Virginia. The VMRC's display focused on education of fisheries management as well as the rules and regulations governing our waterways. On display was a Marine Police Patrol Boat, two aquariums and one touch tank with species common to the Chesapeake Bay. The touch-tank was a big hit with the many school groups that were able to see (and touch) a horseshoe crab shed its shell. Thanks to all the VMRC staff that made this an award winning display.  <More>

December 19, 2006:  The Commission presented a certificate to Dr. Cynthia Jones in recognition of her years of service as an associate commissioner.  They also adopted an emergency regulation extending the public oyster season on the Eastern Shore to 1/30/07, as well as, regulation modifications related to spiny dogfish, aquaculture licenses, and shellfish harvest reporting.  A public hearing to consider allowing aquaculture of cobia will be held at the January meeting. [ More ]

December 7, 2006:  Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that $5 million in grants are available to localities, public bodies, and nonprofit organizations across Virginia for land conservation and acquisition.  <More>

November 2006

November 28, 2006:  At the November meeting, the Commission voted to not open the Lower Rappahannock River to oyster harvest and decided to move to a weight based quota system versus a tag based system for commercial striped bass harvest.  <More>

November 20, 2006:  Effective 12 Noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), Saturday, November 25, 2006, the Fourth Quarter of the Virginia Directed Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will close.  <More>

October 2006

October 31, 2006:  The Commission recognized former Commissioner William A. Pruitt at its October 31st meeting, presenting him with a certificate for "Distinguished Service and Loyalty" to the Commission for over 23 years. <More>

Also at the October meeting, the Commission heard three habitat cases, including a briefing on mooring of house barges.  They approved the Winter II commercial possession limit for scup, heard reports on the Crab Management Advisory Committee and Striped Bass Special Committee, and agreed to hold hearings related to oysters, striped bass, and pound nets.  The December meeting date was shifted to Tuesday, December 19, 2006.  <More>

September 2006

September 26, 2006:  The Commission heard eleven habitat cases, approved regulations for the 2006-07 oyster season, and adopted modifications to rules related to licensing, mandatory harvest reporting, and pound nets.  A public hearing regarding scup commercial possession limits will be held at the October meeting.  The October meeting date was shifted to Tuesday, October 31, 2006 to avoid a conflict with the ASMFC Annual Meeting. <More>

September 22, 2006:  Governor’s Executive Order Includes Criteria to Help Coastal Property Owners Recover from Ernesto. <More>

September 18, 2006:  The Virginia Marine Resources Commission actively supports the goal of Governor Timothy Kaine to increase throughout the Commonwealth acreage set aside as Conservation easements. There are a variety of opportunities available.  <More>

September 7, 2006:  The web site sponsored by the Recreational Fishing Development Fund has been renovated.  The site includes many resources related to recreational fishing and projects funded by saltwater recreational fishing license sales. Click here to visit the new site.

September 1, 2006: All Commission offices will be closed today due to weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto in the Tidewater area.  Please call (800) 541-4646 if you have an emergency requiring the assistance of the Marine Police.

August 2006

August 29, 2006:  Two new Commission members, Dr. John McConaugha of Norfolk and Mr. John E. Tankard, III of Northampton participated in their first meeting.  The Commission heard a status report on SAV research on the Eastern Shore and agreed to set aside 728 acres of unassigned ground in South Bay to continue the SAV research.  The Commission also agreed to hold public hearings at the September 26th meeting related to pound nets, license fees, mandatory reporting, and oyster harvest.  Click here to listen to case by case audio clips of the meeting  and see the full results of the meeting.

August 16, 2006:  Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that members of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) have given preliminary approval to the Governor’s proposal to set a five-year annual cap on the industrial harvest of menhaden from the Chesapeake Bay. <More>

August 8, 2006:  The August 22 Commission meeting has been postponed to August 29, 2006 at 9:30AM.

July 2006

July 31, 2006:  Governor Kaine Announces Proposal to Cap Menhaden Harvests <More>

July 25, 2006:  Listen to the Commission meeting on MP3 audio or read the full results of the meeting.<More>

July 12, 2006: Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that Jack G. Travelstead of Toano will serve as Deputy Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). Travelstead previously served as Chief of the Fisheries Management Division at VMRC, a position he will retain, and acted as the Commissioner’s representative to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. He has been at VMRC for 25 years.

June 2006

June 29, 2006:  Spadefish State Record Broken Again! A 14-pound spadefish caught on June 17th by Austin Edwards of Powhatan has been certified as the new Virginia state record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. This is the second time the spadefish record has been broken in less than a month. <More>

June 27, 2006:  The Commission held a small ceremony honoring Commissioner William A. Pruitt's last meeting; Colonel Steven G. Bowman of Smithfield was recognized as the new Commissioner effective in July. The Commission heard eight habitat cases including an appeal, several restoration hearings, and a case involving a large fishing pier in Cape Charles.  They adopted regulations related to conch, horseshoe crab, and the harvest restrictions for some striped bass fishing tournaments.  Two watermen were also put on 12 month probation for resource violations.  Click here for full results of the meeting.

June 19, 2006:  A 109-pound cobia caught on June 10th by Joseph F. Berberich II of Hayes has been certified as a new Virginia state record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. <More>

June 15, 2006:  Effective 6 PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Monday, June 19, the commercial fishery for horseshoe crabs will close. <More>

June 12, 2006:  Effective 6 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EDT), Monday, June 12, possession limits for Horseshoe Crab Endorsement License (HCEL) and Restricted Horseshoe Crab License (RHCEL) holders will be reduced by 50%. <More>

June 2, 2006:  A 13-pound, 5-ounce spadefish caught on May 29th by Michael K. Hanhart of Huddleston has been certified as the new Virginia state record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. <More>

May 2006

May 25, 2006:  Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant, Jr., Commissioner of Marine Resources William A. Pruitt and Interim Director W. Gerald Massengill of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries have announced the dates for Free Fishing Days in the Commonwealth this year will be June 2 through June 4.  <More>

May 23, 2006:  The Commission heard seven habitat cases, including one restoration hearing involving un-permitted dredging on the Lafayette River where more than $25,000 in fines were imposed.   The Commission also approved the 2006 commercial bluefish quota and agreed to hold hearings on a proposal to allow short term exemptions to the slot limit for striped bass recreational fishing tournaments and proposed changes to the horseshoe crab regulations to maintain compliance with the ASMFC management plan.  Click here for full results of the meeting.

May 15, 2006:  Colonel Steven G. Bowman of Smithfield was appointed today by Governor Tim Kaine to serve as Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.  Previously, Bowman served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Law Enforcement for the VMRC and has served with the agency for 14 years. Prior to that, Bowman was Chief Deputy Sheriff in the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office.

April 2006

April 25, 2006: The Commission heard ten habitat cases, including three large scale oyster aquaculture projects and two cases of unpermitted activities.  They approved a permit for an artificial reef site near the mouth of the Poquoson River, and adopted regulations related to a NSSP requirement to have a sanitation device on all shellfish harvesting vessels and season extensions for the the James River hard clam fishery.  The Commission agreed to hold a hearing on bluefish quotas at its May 23rd meeting.  Click here for full results of the meeting.

April 14, 2006:  A recent Virginia Institute of Marine Science report that evaluated the economic impacts of the commercial and recreational fisheries in Virginia estimated a total of $1.23 billion in output or sales, $717.4 million in value-added or income, and 13,015 full and part-time jobs for the economy of Virginia.  Click here to download the full report.

May 2006

May 15, 2006:  Colonel Steven G. Bowman of Smithfield was appointed today by Governor Tim Kaine to serve as Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.  Previously, Bowman served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Law Enforcement for the VMRC and has served with the agency for 14 years. Prior to that, Bowman was Chief Deputy Sheriff in the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office.

March 2006

March 28, 2006: The Commission heard seven habitat cases, including an experimental beach nourishment project using concrete breakwaters.  They approved a permit for an artificial reef site in Mobjack Bay, and tabled action on another proposed reef site in Poquoson River until next month.  The Commission made provisions of an emergency regulation adopted last month permanent, allowing a limited five fish shad commercial bycatch in upriver spawning areas, extended the James River clam season to April 30, 2006, and approved project recommendations by the Recreational Fishing Advisory Board.  Click here for full results of the meeting.

March 27, 2006: A 68-lb., 1-oz. striped bass caught on March 4th by Clay T. Armstrong of Mechanicsville has been certified as a new Virginia state record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament.   <More>

February 2006

February 28, 2006: The Commission adopted an emergency regulation to allow a limited five fish shad commercial bycatch in upriver spawning areas, set the 2006 striped bass recreational and commercial quotas to 1,554,302 pounds each, and held a hearing on a Virginia Seafood Council proposal for non-native oyster aquaculture. Click here for full results of the meeting.

January 2006

January 24, 2006: The Commission heard nine habitat cases; in one of the cases a $10,000 civil fine was imposed on the after the fact permit.  They finalized two emergency regulations related to black sea bass commercial quota and pound net priority rights.  The Commission decided against a proposal to open two new areas in the James and Rappahannock Rivers to oyster harvest, but agreed to hold a workshop to review the 1990 Blue Ribbon Panel Report on oyster replenishment.  A regulation amendment to allow a limited by-catch of American shad was adopted. The Commission will hold hearings on a Virginia Seafood Council proposal for non-native oyster aquaculture and the 2006 striped bass quotas at its February 28, 2006 meeting. Click here for full results of the meeting

January 20, 2006: Detailed data for the 2005 Saltwater Tournament entries has been posted.  More