Skip to main content

VMRC seeks public comments on proposed changes to striped bass, blue crab fishery, and crab dredging regulations

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) has opened a 14 day public comment period starting June 12 and ending June 26 on striped bass, the blue crab fishery, and crab dredging. Comments are accepted online, via email, and in person at the June 27 public hearing.

Per the June 27 meeting notice,

In accordance with Section 28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed amendments to these regulations will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Written public comments on the Fisheries Management Division proposals or on fisheries items not on the agenda must be provided by 12:00 p.m., Monday, June 26, 2023, to Patrick Geer, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg. 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia 23651, or sent by email to fisheries@mrc.virginia.gov with the subject heading “Commission Comments”.

The Commission may review Fisheries Management Division items as early as 9:30 a.m.


Details and links

I. Chapter 4 VAC 20-252-10 et seq., “Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass” (PDF)

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-252-10 et seq., “Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass”, to implement a 31-inch maximum size limit for striped bass recreational fisheries.

The purpose of these amendments is to comply with the emergency action implemented by the ASMFC for this species.


II. Chapter 4 VAC 20-270-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Blue Crab Fishery” (PDF)

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-270-10 et seq., “Pertaining to Blue Crab Fishery,” to establish management measures, including season and bushel limits, for the 2023-2024 commercial crab fisheries.

The purpose of these amendments is to conserve the blue crab resource.


III. Chapter 4 VAC 20-1140-10 et seq., “Prohibition of Crab Dredging in Virginia Waters” (PDF)

The Commission proposes to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1140-10 et seq., “Prohibition of Crab Dredging in Virginia Waters” to close the December 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024 winter commercial crab dredge fishing season, in accordance with the provisions of Section 28.2-707 of the Code of Virginia.

The purpose of this closure is to conserve spawning potential of the blue crab population.




Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Community meals and food events (free and paid)

Free food Free Food Thanksgiving Pop-up Mobile Pantry, Saturday, November 15, 9:00 - 11:00 am, Kinsale : Hundreds of Blessing Bags filled with non-perishable items, desserts, fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, frozen turkey. First come, first served until all items are gone. Location: New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 3695 Kings Mill Rd, Kinsale. Sponsored by Sowers Of Hope and Jospeh’s House. Thanksgiving Giveaway Free Food Drive Through, Sunday, November 16, 8:00 - 10:00 am, Warsaw : Hundreds of blessing bags until gone. Turkeys, hams, perishable, non-perishable items, and much more. Location: Rappahannock High School (parking lot), 6914 Richmond Rd, Warsaw. Sponsored by Sowers Of Hope, Jospeh’s House. MCVRS Thanksgiving Dinner, Wednesday, November 26, pickup Noon - 3:00 pm : Residents of Northumberland County aged 75 and older and living in the middle part of the county may get a free traditional Thanksgiving meal. Registration by November 21 is required. Call (804) 456-81...
Read more

Quilting in red, white, and blue: Celebrating Our Independence Quilt Show, July 1-7

Historic Christ Church & Museum and Sewlovelee are featuring the art of NNK quilters July 1-7 at the Celebrating Our Independence Quilt Show . This joint celebration combines art and history. Quilters are asked to exhibit their red, white, and blue quilts which tell the stories of our independence from Britain, our history since the American Revolution, and the future of the United States. The quilts will also serve as the backdrop of Christ Church's annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. The reading is a patriotic celebration and is in partnership with the Cobbs Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Richard Henry Lee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. There is no fee to enter a quilt into the show. Learn more about entering the show . There is no fee to see the quilt exhibit. Edit, 1:00 pm: I cannot resist a tie-in, so here it is. Consider creating a quilt that is inspired by, speaks to, or represents the hist...
Read more

The blue crab population has declined 25% according to latest dredge survey results

The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) has announced the 25% decline of the blue crab population between 2024 and 2025. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) calls the results a “distressing low.” Many in the Bay watershed would likely agree with CBF’s reaction. Not two months ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation released the results of the IPSOS poll of 2,000 people living across the Chesapeake Bay watershed―DC, MD, PA, and VA―which found that the Bay animal most in need of protection was the blue crab (70%). Other top animals identified were bald eagle (68%), oyster (49%), and striped bass (36%). Read the full press release, “Virginia’s Adaptive Management Addresses 2025 Blue Crab Population Fluctuations,” here: HAMPTON, VA - The 2025 Bay-wide Winter Dredge Survey results indicate the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population has declined from an estimated 317 million crabs in 2024 to 238 million crabs. Virginia’s blue crab managers are not surprised by these findings, as c...
Read more