Since early spring, anglers have been concerned about the possible early closure of the 2016 Virginia cobia season in federal and possibly, state waters. In early March, NOAA Fisheries announced that the recreational harvest of Atlantic migratory group cobia (from … Continued
The ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board recently approved Addendum XXVII to the Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. The Addendum continues the use of regional management for the 2016 summer flounder and … Continued
NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) has established an annual fee of $29 for registration of anglers, spear fishermen, and for-hire fishing vessels to register under the National Saltwater Angler Registry Program. NMFS completed its biennial review and determined that the annual registration … Continued
NOAA’s Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Management Division recently announced that the 2016 Atlantic Tunas and Atlantic HMS Permitting System is now operational. NOAA is issuing vessel open access permits to those fishing commercially for Atlantic Tunas and Swordfish, recreationally … Continued
North Atlantic right whales are migrating south along the Atlantic coast, according to recent announcements from the U.S Coast Guard, NOAA Fisheries, and state agencies. Right whales are slow moving and at risk of serious injury or death due to … Continued
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) is raising awareness of the federal regulations governing striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and increasing targeted enforcement efforts in the Mid Atlantic region. During the months of November through February, NOAA … Continued
For 2015, tilefish/grouper recreational landing permits can obtained by the angler directly via a new online process; once the appropriate information is provided the no-cost permit is issued immediately via email. Tilefish/grouper recreational landing permits required for all vessels to … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) have established specifications for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries. ASMFCs actions are final and apply to state waters (0-3 miles from … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Tautog Management Board has approved the development of an amendment to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The amendment will explore the establishment of new regional stock areas and associated reference points. The … Continued
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) has decided to reduce the cost of recreational saltwater fishing licenses, effective April 1. VMRC voted unanimously to roll back a license increase that was enacted in January because of a budget reduction. However, … Continued