June 1, 2, and 3, 2018 have been designated as Free Fishing Days in Virginia. No fishing license of any kind will be required for rod and reel fishing in freshwater or saltwater, on these days. A trout license is … Continued
At its March, 2018 meeting, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) established a 16 1/2-inch minimum size limit for the 2018 recreational summer flounder fishery in Virginia waters. Previously in 2017, the minimum size for summer flounder (recreational fishing) in … Continued
In early January, 2018, unseasonably cold temperatures resulted in cold stun events and mortality of speckled trout stocks in Virginia, North Carolina, and other states along the Atlantic Coast. Virginia In February, The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) Board considered … Continued
NOAA Fisheries has announced a February recreational season in 2018 for the black sea bass fishery. The current black sea bass recreational management measures of a 12.5-inch minimum size and 15-fish possession limit apply during the February 1-28 federal season. … Continued
In January, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) announced a closure of recreational harvests of cobia in Federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Recreational harvest of Atlantic migratory group cobia (from Georgia to New York) closed at 12:01 a.m. … Continued
Anglers fishing in Virginia will be subject to new regulations for 4 species sport fish: cobia, grouper, striped bass, and tilefish. In December, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) voted to require recreational anglers to file catch reports in 2017 for … Continued
NOAA Fisheries recently published the final rule for a Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) action to designate a large offshore marine protected area for deep sea corals in the Mid-Atlantic. MAFMC approved the Deep Sea Corals Amendment to the Mackerel, … Continued
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) recently announced that the agency’s Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) toll free operator assisted registration service has been discontinued due to budget constraints. All anglers required to register in FIP must register for themselves online, … Continued
Virginia has scheduled a hearing to gather public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Cobia. The hearing is scheduled for: Virginia Marine Resources Commission December 6, 2016; 6 PM 2600 Washington … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recently approved the initiation of a new Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Atlantic Migratory Group of Cobia to complement fishery management efforts of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC). According to … Continued