The Secretary of Commerce recently declared a moratorium on the Atlantic menhaden fisheries in Virginia waters, effective June 17, 2020. The Secretary of Commerce concurs with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) finding that the Commonwealth of Virginia is … Continued
This article provides an overview of Atlantic striped bass regulations in Virginia for the 2020 fishing season. Also included is information related to federal and state striped bass management. For the most recent updates of Virginia fishing regulations, visit the … Continued
In Virginia, the gray trout is an iconic sport fish. This attractive member of the drum and croaker family is known as a hard fighter and fine fish for the table. Overview Gray trout (Cynoscion regalis) are found along the … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board recently approved Addendum VI to Amendment 6 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Addendum reduces all state commercial quotas by 18%, and implements … Continued
In October, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) found the Commonwealth of Virginia out of compliance with a mandatory management measure contained in Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (IFMP) for Atlantic Menhaden. ASMFC will notify the … Continued
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) has scheduled a series of scoping hearings to gather public input for a proposed action to protect unmanaged forage species. The proposed action would consider a prohibition on the development of new, or expansion … 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
Virginia’s 2015 commercial quota will be reduced to 608,230 pounds. At its February meeting, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) voted unanimously to establish the commercial bluefish quota in order to comply with a coastwide commercial quota reduction, set by … Continued
During a webinar meeting on Wednesday February 25, 2015, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted to request that the National Marine Fisheries Service implement emergency rules to restrict commercial and recreational landings of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic. The Council’s … Continued
At the 2014 Special meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Italy, members met and adopted multi-year total allowable catch (TAC) levels for bluefin tuna, amendments to the tropical tunas management measure, and terms … Continued