May 18, 2026: Winter Dredge Survey Media Release
May 14, 2026: Joseph D Grist has been appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger as Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, effective today, May 14, 2026.
May 12, 2026: There will be an CMAC meeting on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the VMRC Main Office (5/14 Update: Please note location change). The meeting will be livestreamed. [ Agenda ]
April 30, 2026: Memo: Federal Waters Regulations for Black Sea Bass and Summer Flounder
April 23, 2026: Per the April 21, 2026, Commission meeting, the recreational measures for black sea bass in state waters are May 11 â December 31, 13â minimum size limit, and 15 fish bag limit. [ Read more here ]
April 21, 2026: Results of the April VMRC Commission Meeting can be found here [ Draft Minutes ]
April 14, 2026: VMRC is always looking for interested candidates for membership on our advisory boards. Advisory committees play a key role in shaping future policy. You may apply online now to be considered for future openings.
April 13, 2026: Effective 12:01 A.M., April 15, 2026, the Virginia commercial spot fishery will open. The season will remain open until December 8, 2026. [ Notice ]
April 10, 2026: Public Notice: Federal Waters Regulations for Black Sea Bass
April 10, 2026: Public Notice: Federal Waters Regulations for Summer Flounder (Fluke)
March 31, 2026: Results of the March VMRC Commission Meeting can be found here [ Final Minutes ]
March 31, 2026: Per the March 31, 2026 Commission Meeting, there is an update to the recreational possession limit on Bluefish of 5 per person from shore or a rented vessel; and 5 per person on for-hire or charter vessels. [ Draft Minutes ]
March 31, 2026: Per the March 31, 2026 Commission Meeting, a closed season for recreational speckled trout harvest will be in effect from April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026. This action was taken in response to multiple years of cold-stun related mortality and is intended to protect the remaining spawning stock through the bulk of the 2026 spawning season. [ Draft Minutes ]
March 16, 2026: Shadcam is now live for the 2026 spring migration season. Shadcam streams live from the Boshers vertical slot fishway viewing window on the James River in river mile 114. DWR is tapped into the City of Richmondâs camera network system (Richmond owns the dam and works cooperatively with DWR to operate and maintain the fishway). HDOnTap is DWRâs livestream service.
March 13, 2026: Effective March 16, 2026, vessels may not fish for, possess, or land scup in or from the EEZ, federally permitted vessels may not land scup for sale, and dealers may not purchase or otherwise receive scup harvested from the EEZ through Thursday, April 30, 2026. The scup summer quota period begins at on Friday, May 1, 2026. [ Notice ]
March 3, 2026: Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Public Input on Private Recreational Tilefish Permit and Reporting Framework. [ Event Info ]
