2007 What's New

December 2007

December 18, 2007: An Eastern Shore developer was hammered with a $100,000 fine for illegally dredging two tributaries of Underhill Creek, apparently to increase the value of shoreline lots for sale. Although the fine was approved 5-3, Commissioner Ed Tankard urged the VMRC board to go higher, and suggested $200,000 as a more fitting punishment. <More>

November 2007

November 27, 2007:  The state's growing oyster and clam farming industry will have to obtain permits and report their harvest data under new regulations adopted by the Commission. <More>

November 14, 2007:  A 53-pound, 8-ounce golden tilefish, caught on September 22nd by Charles Maresh of Norfolk, has been certified as the new Virginia state record for the species by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. The record-setting tilefish measured 46 inches (TL) and sported a 33-inch girth. <More>

November 7, 2007:  Effective 12:00 P.M. (Noon), EST, Friday, November 9, 2007, the Virginia directed offshore summer flounder fishery will close. <More>

October 2007

October 29, 2007:  The Commission is hosting the International Submerged Lands Conference in Williamsburg during the week of October 29th. 

October 23, 2007:  The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted to lower the per-trip possession limit on Scup and to hold a public hearing on extending the moratorium on blue crab licenses.  <More>

October 22, 2007:  The annual meeting of the Tournament Committee of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament will be held Monday, October 22nd at Marina Shores in Virginia Beach. The meeting is scheduled to start at 6:45 pm in the Pool Lounge.    <More>

October 12, 2007:  The federal government is moving forward with plans mandated by Congress to overhaul its data collection systems for marine recreational fisheries by 2009.  The NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology has created a web site that summarizes the joint State and Federal efforts to redesign the program (website). A significant component of the anticipated survey design changes call for the creation of a national registry of marine anglers by 2009 based on accepted State licensing programs or a new federal fishing permit. The new registry will be used to create improved surveys of anglers, as such it needs be a comprehensive, up to date listing of all active marine anglers. Click here for a FAQ that explains some of the details of the proposed registry.

September 2007

September 25, 2007:  A one-fish limit on striped bass will be in force this fall for part of the rockfish season, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission has decided. The decision was necessary because federal fish-catch data showed recreational anglers significantly exceeded a quota on catches last year. In other action, the board opened the Rappahannock River to oystering in October for the first time in 18 years.   <More>

September 14, 2007:  The "Big Boy'' of the Bay wasn't exactly the old man of the sea. The age of the record-setting monster Atlantic Croaker caught several weeks ago has been scientifically determined. <More>

September 7, 2007: Cast your vote for one of three proposed conservation options being considered by the Commission to reduce recreational harvest of Striped Bass. To vote, you must register with the VA Saltwater Journal. Once logged in, you can cast your vote and let your opinion be heard. <More>

August 2007

August 28, 2007:  A report on how to resurrect the state's decimated native oyster population was accepted and endorsed by the Virginia Marine Resource Commission. Board member said the suggestions by the Blue Ribbon Oyster Panel were "a step in the right direction.''  <More>

August 22, 2007:  Croaker State Record Broken - Norman T. Jenkins of Portsmouth, VA has established a new state record for croaker with an 8-lb., 11-oz. fish caught August 22th. This smashes the long-standing state record for the species of 5 lbs., 13 oz., which had been set 25 years earlier in October of 1982. <More>

August 3, 2007:  Bluefin tuna state record smashed - A 573-pound bluefin tuna caught on June 24th by Frederick "Bo" Haycox of Virginia Beach has been certified as a new Virginia state record by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. This topped the prior state record by almost 200 pounds. <More>

August 2, 2007:  A blue ribbon oyster panel has recommended doubling state funding for oyster restoration efforts, and suggested some significant changes to help the beleaguered Chesapeake Bay mollusk. The Commission will accept the report at its August meeting. <More>

The Army Corps of Engineers has announced it is delaying until next year a draft report on whether to introduce the non-native Asian oyster to the Chesapeake Bay. More time is needed to access the potential impact on the native oyster, to peer review the scientific findings, and to let interested parties provide their input. <More>

July 2007

July 25, 2007:  In a special meeting held today, The Commission voted 4-3 to overturn the May 21, 2007 decision of the Virginia Beach Wetlands Board regarding Sandler at Indigo Bay, LLC, #06-2601.  <More>

July 24, 2007:  The Commission approved spending $400,000 to deploy a large quantity of donated concrete pipes to replenish the State's artificial reefs. They also agreed to hold a public hearing at the August 28 meeting to restrict additional reef sites to recreational fishing only. <More>

July 23 - 28, 2007:  In accordance with regulation 4 VAC 20-620-70, it shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to take, catch, or possess any Summer Flounder on July 23 through July 28.

July 18, 2007: A 63-pound, 1-ounce king mackerel caught on July 14th by Susan M. Smith of Virginia Beach has been certified as the new Virginia state record for the species by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. <More>

July 17, 2007:   The Virginia Marine Resources Commission wants to know about the saltwater fish you caught and if you threw it back or took it home for dinner. How big was it? What species was it? Where did you catch it? This self-reported catch-and-release information will be posted on-line, giving the recreational angler a broader picture of what everyone else is catching -- and where.  The voluntary on-line reporting system is called the "Saltwater Fisherman’s Journal," and it opened for business today at www.vasaltwaterjournal.com. <More>

July 3, 2007:  Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced Ernest Bowden of Accomack County, and John T. Holland of Northampton, are reappointed to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

July 1, 2007:  The Gloucester Law Enforcement Office (Middle Area) is moving this week to their new location in the Towne and Country Shopping Center in Gloucester, Virginia.

June 2007

June 28, 2007: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission wants your fish carcasses. You catch it, you fillet it, but instead of throwing the remains in the trash, please donate them to science. <More>

June 26, 2007:  The Commission levied a $100,000 civil charge against a developer whose heavy equipment seriously damaged a state-owned creek bed while improperly mowing acres of environmentally sensitive wetlands in Isle of Wight County. It was the highest penalty ever assessed by the board, in what Commission Chairman Steve Bowman called an "egregious'' violation. The developer agreed to pay the money. <More>

June 25, 2007:  Richard B. "Rick" Robins Jr., a Virginia Marine Resources Commission board member since 2004, has been named to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The council is responsible for managing fisheries in federal waters off the Mid-Atlantic states and is charged with preventing overfishing of commercially and recreationally significant species while allowing the optimum yield for the fishing industry. "I look forward to serving the Commonwealth at the federal level on important fisheries issues," he said. Mr. Robins will serve a three-year term on the council, which consists of 21 voting and four non-voting members. He will be a voting member. He lives in Suffolk and is a lifelong recreational angler and avid offshore tournament fisherman. He manages Chesapeake Bay Packing in Newport News, and owns Bernie's Conchs, a conch processing company on the Eastern Shore. Mr. Robins was appointed to the VMRC board in 2004 by then-Gov. Mark Warner.

June 22, 2007:  Bob Manus of Ark, VA has established a new state record for snowy grouper with a 65-lb., 8-oz. fish caught June 10th <More>. A 14-pound spadefish caught on June 7th by Mark Ottarson of North, VA has been certified as tying the Virginia state record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament <More>.

June 18, 2007:  Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced 15 grants totaling $6.2 million dollars awarded by the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF), a state land conservation board. <More>  In April 2006 Governor Kaine stated that it will be the goal of his administration to permanently protect 400,000 acres of land. Among the many benefits of this goal are preserving water quality, providing additional opportunities for recreation, and preserving wildlife habitat and historic landscapes.  Click here to learn more about the Commonwealth's land conservation programs.

June 14, 2007:  They’re sleek, new and fast.  The Commission has bought three new boats with federal funds, and will soon have them patrolling the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. <More>

May 2007

May 22, 2007:  The Commission heard six habitat cases, including an expansion to Sunset Bay Marina in Chincoteague that was approved and a case of large scale marsh disruption on Lawnes Creek where significant fines are being considered.  An artificial reef was approved for the Bluefish Rock area and an oyster artificial reef  to be built with low profile reef balls constructed by school kids was approved.  Regulatory changes related to weakfish and warm water oyster harvest were adopted.  An Emergency Regulation revision related to nomenclature for the recently adopted tilefish and grouper regulation was passed.  <More>

May 11, 2007:  VSWFT certifies state records for snowy grouper and golden tilefish.  A "deep-drop" bottom fishing trip on April 29th produced the initial state records for both snowy grouper and golden tilefish. <More>

May 9, 2007:  Commissioner Bowman has designated June 1, 2, and 3 as Free Fishing Days in Virginia marine waters.  Citizens and visitors are encouraged to get out and fish ! <More>

April 2007

April 24, 2007:  The Commission received an award from the U.S. Army for the work of Agency personnel in the reserves.  Ten habitat cases were heard.  There were six fisheries public hearings and regulation amendments related to shark, crabs, horseshoe crabs, sheepshead, tilefish, and grouper were adopted.  An Emergency Regulation on summertime oyster harvest restrictions was passed.  Hearings on tautog, grey trout and summertime oyster harvest will be held at the May 22 meeting.  <More>


Governor Timothy M. Kaine has declared Friday, April 20, 2007 a statewide day of mourning for the victims of Monday’s tragedy at Virginia Tech.  Governor Kaine asks "that everyone in Virginia pause at noon on Friday to offer prayers of support for the victims, their families, and for all those affected by this tragedy." <More> 


April 17, 2007:  Due to current weather conditions the daily time limit on crabbing described in 4 VAC 20-270-30 "Pertaining to Crabbing" will be relaxed until Monday, 4/23/07.  On Monday morning, 4/23/07 at 12AM midnight the Marine Police will resume enforcement of 4 VAC 20-270-30.

April 11, 2007:  A 19-pound, 14-ounce blueline tilefish caught on March 31st by Rick Wineman of Yorktown has been certified as the new Virginia state record for the species by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament.  <More>

April 2, 2007:  Effective 12 Noon, Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDST), Monday, April 2, 2007, the Second Quarter of the Virginia Directed Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will close. <More>

March 2007

March 27, 2007:  The Commission heard eight habitat cases, adopted rule modifications related to recreational gill nets and black sea bass, established the 2007 commercial bluefish quota at 1,018,660 pounds, made permanent crab regulatory changes made in February by emergency action and deferred actions on a proposed dark sponge crab rule change and the proposed Bluefish Rock artificial Reef.  The Commission will hold hearings related to sheepshead, horseshoe crabs, whelk, blueline tilefish and spiny dogfish at the April 24th meeting. <More>

March 26, 2007: An 18-pound, 10-ounce blueline tilefish caught on March 10th by Doug Deese of Hampton has been certified as the initial Virginia state record for the species by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. An application also has been made to the International Game Fish Association for recognition as the world all-tackle record. <More>

March 23, 2007:  Effective 12:01 A.M. Sunday, April 1, 2007, the Second Quarter of the Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will open with a possession limit of 5,000 pounds. <More>

March 19, 2007:  In April 2006 Governor Kaine stated that it will be the goal of his administration to permanently protect 400,000 acres of land. Among the many benefits of this goal are preserving water quality, providing additional opportunities for recreation, and preserving wildlife habitat and historic landscapes.  Click here to learn more about the Commonwealth's land conservation programs.

March 8, 2007:  The DGIF adopted a statewide limit of 1 blue catfish greater than 32" in length per day in July 2006.  This new limit applies to tidal fisherman, both commercial and recreational.  <Click here for applicable DGIF regulations>

February 2007

February 27, 2007:  The Commission voted, 7-1, to approve recreational flounder size limit at 18 ½ inches and possession limit of 5 fish with closed seasons between Jan. 1 and March 31 and July 23-28. Also, the Commission voted, 8-0, to take emergency action and open the crab pot season March 17th instead of the regular April 1 opening. < More>

February 21, 2007:  The ASMFC has announced that effective 0001 hours on February 24, 2007, the spiny dogfish fishery is closed  through April 30, 2007. <More>

February 7, 2007:  Effective 6 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST), Saturday, February 10, 2007, the First Quarter of the Virginia Directed Offshore Summer Flounder Fishery will close.  <More>

January 2007

January 23, 2007:  The Commission heard nine habitat cases, including a proposal that was approved to renovate the Gynns' Island Boatel.  They adopted emergency regulations related to the 2007 black sea bass commercial quotas and the 2007 shad bycatch fishery;  they also approved  regulation modifications related to cobia aquaculture and crab and clam dredging.  Public hearings to consider the 2007 project proposal for non-native oyster culture by the Virginia Seafood Council, recreational summer flounder rule changes, and modification of the shellfish relay season will be held at the February meeting. A hearing regarding a proposed artificial reef in the Bluefish Rock area will be heard at the March meeting. [ More ]

January 19, 2007:  NMFS has revised the 2007 commercial quota for Summer Flounder fishery; Virginia's new quota will increase to 2,138,818 pounds. <More>

January 16, 2007:  Effective 12:01 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday, January 22, 2007, the First Quarter of the Directed Virginia Offshore Summer Flounder fishery will open. <More>

The ASMFC has announced that effective 0001 hours on January 19, 2007, the spiny dogfish fishery is closed. <More>