Commercial Fisheries Permitting and/or Limited Entry Processes

In order to retain commercially harvested American shad bycatch in Virginia, Regulation 4 VAC20-530-10 et.seq., "Pertaining to American Shad" (external site) requires that commercial fishermen obtain one of 30 no-cost permits each year. Call 757-247-2069 or e-mail Alexa Galvan (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining these permits. Reminder: there is a moratorium on all commercial harvest in the ocean; commercial shad fishing is only allowed in specific areas of the Chesapeake Bay and only with the above referenced permit and any other required licenses. The American shad permit application form can be found here [ Form (PDF) ]

All gear licenses in the commercial blue crab fishery are limited entry. Criteria to participate in the commercial blue crab fishery is specified by VMRC Regulation 4VAC20-1040-10 et. seq (external site). If you are not eligible by these criteria, you may have a license transferred to you from anyone currently eligible for a commercial crab license. For more information call 757-247-2069 or email Alexa Galvan (include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message).

The commercial black drum fishery is limited entry. Criteria to participate in the commercial black drum fishery is specified by VMRC Regulation 4VAC20-320-10 et. seq (external site). Call 757-247-2272 or e-mail Ethan Simpson (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining a black drum permit.

BLACK DRUM BUYER PERMITS

To purchase black drum in Virginia, the buyer/restaurant must obtain a Black Drum Buyer Permit. If you are a licensed seafood dealer, Black Drum Buyer Permits are available at any VMRC licensing agent. If you are a restaurant and wish to purchase black drum directly from a harvester, the Black Drum Restaurant Buyer Permit is available at any VMRC licensing agent. If you have any questions please call 757-247-2272 or email Ethan Simpson (include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message).

The commercial black sea bass fishery is limited entry. Criteria to participate in the commercial black sea bass fishery is specified by VMRC Regulation 4VAC20-950-10 et. seq. (external site). Call 757-247-2243 or e-mail Jill Ramsey (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining a black sea bass Directed or Bycatch permit.

Use of hook & line for commercial purposes is subject to a limited entry program as described in Regulation 4 VAC20-995-10 et.seq., "Pertaining to Commercial Hook and Line Fishing" (external site). With the exception of striped bass permit holders, no new entrants to this fishery are allowed unless a current commercial hook & line licensee gives up their license. Call 757-247-2243 or e-mail Jill Ramsey (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining these permits.

The sale of commercial Conch Pot Licenses is limited to registered commercial fishermen that is specified by VMRC Regulation 4VAC20-890-10 et. seq. (external site), solely for the harvest of channeled whelk from Virginia waters. If you are not eligible by these criteria, you may have a license transferred to you from a current license holder. If you are interested in obtaining a conch pot permit contact Melanie Ramirez at 757-247-2238 or e-mail Melanie Ramirez (include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message).

In order to commercially gill net in Virginia, licensed fishermen must first obtain either a Class A Resident gill net permit, a Class A Non-Resident gill net permit, or a Class B gill net permit before purchasing a gill net licenses according to Regulation 4VAC20-1190-10 et seq. "Pertaining to Gill Net Control Date" (external site). Call 757-247-2243 or e-mail Jill Ramsey (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining these permits.

In order to commercially harvest horseshoe crabs in Virginia, Regulation 4 VAC20-900-10 et.seq. (external site), "Pertaining to Horseshoe Crabs" requires that commercial fisherman obtain a no-cost, limited entry gear specific permit. The catch and release of horseshoe crabs for biomedical purposes also requires a company to obtain an agency issued collection permit.

For more information on obtaining these permits, please call 757-247-2272 or e-mail Ethan Simpson (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message).

Pound Net Siting Public Review Process.

Anyone wishing to participate in scientific collection must first obtain a permit. The Fisheries Management Division and Shellfish Management Division issue all scientific collection permits. The issuance of a permit shall be governed by applicable Commission regulation and shall be subject to any reasonable terms and conditions imposed by the Commissioner. For more information on how to apply for a scientific collection permit, please contact Benjamin Foster (757-709-9277).

Section 28.2-205 of the Code of Virginia makes it unlawful for any person to remove from the waters of the Commonwealth under the jurisdiction of the Marine Resources Commission any marine fish, marine shellfish, or marine organisms for technical research, scientific education or museum purposes without having first obtained from the Commissioner a collection permit.

Most of these permits are granted to educational institutions for research purposes. For experimental shellfish permits, call 757-247-2121 or e-mail Andrew Button. All other scientific collection permit requests must be addressed to the Commissioner and should be directed by email to commissioner@mrc.virginia.gov . Requests should include the species to be collected, the purpose and disposition of collections, and personnel and vessel(s) to be covered under the permit. For more information on how to apply for a scientific collection permit, please contact Benjamin Foster by telephone (757-709-9277) or email (Benjamin.Foster@mrc.virginia.gov).

The issuance of a permit shall be governed by applicable Commission regulation and shall be subject to any reasonable terms and conditions imposed by the Commissioner.

Scientific Collection Permit Form (PDF)

The commercial spiny dogfish fishery has limited entry. Criteria to participate in the commercial spiny dogfish fishery is specified by VMRC CHAPTER 4VAC20-490-10 et seq. (external site) (Regulation http://mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/fr490.shtm (external site)) Call 757-247-2243 or e-mail Jill.Ramsey@mrc.virginia.gov (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining a Spiny Dogfish Limited Entry Fishery Permit.

The commercial striped bass fishery is limited entry. Criteria to participate in the commercial striped bass fishery is specified by VMRC Regulation 4VAC20-252-10 et. seq. (external site). Call 757-247-2243 or e-mail Jill Ramsey (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining a striped bass Bay or Ocean permit.

For information on Buyer Permits call 757-247-2243 or e-mail Jill Ramsey. You must purchase your seafood buyer license before requesting a permit.

Striped bass aquaculture permits: criteria to obtain an aquaculture permit is specified by VMRC Regulation 4 VAC20-252-10 et. seq. (external site). Call 757-247-2243 or e-mail Jill Ramsey. (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on the permit. The striped bass aquaculture permit application can be found on our forms page.

In order to land summer flounder in Virginia for commercial purposes, Regulation 4 VAC20-920-10 et.seq., "Pertaining to Landing Licenses" (external site) requires that commercial fisherman that not holding a VA Commercial Registration License or a PRFC commercial fishing license purchase a Seafood Landing License and obtain a no-cost, limited entry Summer Flounder Endorsement License. E-mail Jill Ramsey or call 757-247-2243 (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining these licenses.

Regulation 4 VAC20-310-10 et.seq. (external site), "Pertaining to Shellfish Relaying" establishes rules for the containerized relaying of shellfish. Call 757-247-2121 or e-mail Andrew Button (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message) for more information on obtaining these permits.

Harvest of shellfish for commercial or recreational purposes is governed by a variety of rules. Please check with the Law Enforcement Office in the area you wish to harvest shellfish in to find out about open areas, open seasons, shellfish condemnation areas, required licenses and permits, and other rules. Click here to get Law Enforcement contact information.

SHELLFISH MANAGEMENT AREAS

I. The purpose of establishing shellfish management areas is to protect and promote the shellfish in the designated areas. These areas include parts of the following rivers:

YORK RIVER SHELLFISH MANAGEMENT AREA

1. York River - this area consists of all public grounds located inshore of a line beginning at the entrance to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science boat basin at Gloucester Point, running Northwesterly to Buoy #30, thence Northwesterly to Buoy #32, thence Northwesterly to Buoy #34, then Northwesterly to Pages Rock Buoy, thence Northwesterly and ending at Clay Bank Wharf.

POQUOSON RIVER SHELLFISH MANAGEMENT AREA

2. Poquoson River - this area consists of all public grounds bounded by a line beginning at Hunts Point Survey Taylor and running Northwesterly to Survey Station Spit, thence Northeasterly to Survey Station Cabin North, thence East to Survey Station Cabin South, thence Southeasterly following the general shoreline (not to include any creeks or canals) to the flag pole near Survey Station 80 at York Point, thence 175 degrees to Day Marker #14 and returning to Hunts Point Survey Taylor.

BACK RIVER SHELLFISH MANAGEMENT AREA

3. Back River - this area consists of all current public clamming grounds bounded by a line from, corner 3 on Shell Plant 115 through corner 17, a daymarker, on Shell Plant 115, 237.42 feet to a point being the point of beginning; thence Southeasterly to corner number 1 Public Clamming Ground (PCG#12); thence Southeasterly to corner number 3A Public Clamming Ground (PCG#12); thence Northeasterly to corner number 3 Public Clamming Ground (PCG#12); thence Northwesterly to corner number 2 Public Clamming Ground (PCG#12); thence Southwesterly to the POB. Also, for a period of one year, throughout 1994, Shell Plant 115 will also be included in the Back River Shellfish Management Area.

II. Obtaining Permits: Permits for taking shellfish from management areas may be obtained from any Marine Patrol Officer, or Operations in downtown Newport News. This includes the James River Hand Scrape Permit and James River Seed Harvest Permit.

III. Season and Restrictions:

-January 1 - March 31 by patent tong

-York/Poquoson River - not allowed before sunrise or after 2:00 p.m., or on Saturday or Sunday

-Back River - not allowed before sunrise or after 4:00 p.m., or on Saturday or Sunday

Permits may be picked up at the VMRC Operations building at 30 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA, 757-247-2265.

For more information call 757-247-2061 or e-mail Stephanie Iverson (Include return e-mail address, name and phone number in body of message).

Link to online process for other shellfish permits is below; contact Andrew Button or Jamie Hogge with questions 757-247-2120 or Jamie.Hogge@mrc.virginia.gov

Online Application for Selected Shellfish Permits (GPS, Bulk Seed, Cage Aquaculture Husbandry, Icing)