Steven G. Bowman,
Commissioner, VMRC

Commissioner’s Message

Welcome to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. We serve as stewards of the Commonwealth’s marine and aquatic resources, and protectors of its tidal waters and homelands, for present and future generations.

We regulate saltwater fishing, both recreational and commercial. Our Fisheries Division strives to create and maintain sustainable fisheries.

We hold the water bottoms in public trust for the citizens of Virginia, and our Habitat Division works with those who wish to use them for piers or docks.

Our Law Enforcement Division, the Virginia Marine Police, patrols the waterways to enforce the regulations and to assist boaters in need.

As an avid angler and outdoorsman, I am proud of the conservation efforts we take to ensure our natural resources not only survive but thrive.

Please join us as protectors of these critical natural resources so that they remain for our children and grandchildren to enjoy them as we do.

National Angler Registry

Important Links

Agency News

August 24, 2010:  The Virginia Marine Resources Commission is poised to enact the Fisherman Identification Program.  When in place in 2011, as required by state law, the program will require all adults who legally fish without a license to call annually and get a free identification number.  In effect, all adults who fish in Virginia's saltwaters must be either licensed or registered for free, as of January.  This state program will collect contact information so Virginia can become exempt from the new National Saltwater Angler Registry now in place, and anglers will not face a federal registration fee of up to $25 each year under that federal initiative.  The Commission is expected to vote on the FIP next month.  More information on the national registry, and how to register, is found on the right hand side of our website home page.  <Meeting Summary>

July 28, 2010:  The Virginia Marine Resources Commission delayed until November any decision on a proposal to drop the recreational striped bass no-take slot limit of 18-28 inches.  At that point, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is expected to decide whether to adjust the striped bass commercial quotas allocated to coastal states, and the Commission then will know whether it is feasible to remove the no-take slot limit.  <Meeting Summary>

June 30, 2010:  Commissioner Bowman has promoted long-time Habitat Engineer Tony Watkinson of Toano to the post of Chief of the agency's Habitat Management Division.  Tony succeeds Bob Grabb of Virginia Beach, who retired today after a dedicated, three-decade career at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.  Tony has been with the agency since 1984 and has been deputy habitat chief since 1988. <Biography>

June 25, 2010:  Effective 6:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday, June 28, 2010, the Virginia Horseshoe Crab fishery will close.  Based upon landing reports from Virginia seafood buyers and horseshoe crab harvesters, it is projected that Virginia will have caught 100% of the 137,168 horseshoe crab quota, by the above date and time.  In addition, effective 10:00 A.M., Eastern Standard Time (EST), Friday, June 25, 2010, each permitted horseshoe crab buyer shall call the Commission’s interactive voice recording system (1-800-937-9247) on a daily basis to report his name and permit number, date, number of female horseshoe crabs and number of male horseshoe crabs purchased, gear used, and water area fished by the harvester as provided by Regulation 4 VAC 20-900-10 et seq. <Memorandum>

June 22, 2010:  The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has revoked for two years all state fishing licenses and permits issued to a Fredericksburg commercial fisherman who pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a striped bass poaching ring.  He is the fifth Virginia waterman since April to have all fishing licenses and permits revoked for striper poaching.  Also, the Commission agreed to consider a loosening of the fall recreational striped bass regulations. <Meeting Summary>

June 15, 2010:   Effective 10:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time (EST), Wednesday, June 16, 2010, the daily harvest and possession limits for horseshoe crabs will be reduced by 50%, as provided by Regulation 4 VAC 20-900-10 et seq. <Memorandum>

June 1, 2010:  Commissioner Steve Bowman has approved alternate summer operating hours for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission's main office, 2600 Washington Ave., Newport News.  Effective Monday, June 7th, our main office’s hours of operation will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.  Friday hours of operation will be 8:00 a.m. with closing at 2:30 p.m.  This operating schedule will conclude on Friday, September 3rd.

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