[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6177785,"mediaKeyId","5332647-c529fcc905829adb03d53ccba4e770a7","parentId",5332647,"title","Marine Resources Commission adopts 2025–26 blue crab measures, keeps winter dredge season closed (dec. 20 closing date)","audioSeconds",983,"startMs",874000,"endMs",1857000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332647-c529fcc905829adb03d53ccba4e770a7&start=874&end=1857","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332647-c529fcc905829adb03d53ccba4e770a7/thumbnail_874000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6177785/Virginia/Marine-Resources-Commission-adopts-202526-blue-crab-measures-keeps-winter-dredge-season-closed-dec-20-closing-date","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177785-a6d99064e7e5c6fa5f5df2959654407b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775596519&Signature=UtpuWVjgq0de6IF9R-Mn0DiR0olWvh5sCjyFl7xUPM68pSuv1ojLtDXpXqJj6z~snUnyBqltN8w6WnpbmagzI3IuTQwbuGlo7fQPaqES4Zu1p6rx~~izxSslochRl-x97XxuA5dJNpyi4QgP5Hp8hhTpKLNPhCd22LVO0q0mfSO4eqW0cCcBMkhyMwNxnCbOBlJ7m6Ob9yVV8RGX3-tNkJMh-B1ATbT02i~ERa7cpk7dv4h1V3NfIGszuhLhiBlbuQMrYMH4EnTkJGwsDWvJrwdLCLEpLY4sPqC7maPTEhf7bF8tnpl07zL2WDPM3popWceejZIW1Fq2D0Tk-4KOMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virginia Marine Resources","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Marine Resources Commission on June 24 adopted 2025–26 management measures for the commercial blue crab fishery, keeping seasons and bushel limits the same as the prior year and continuing the winter commercial dredge fishery closure. Commissioners approved staff recommendations and accepted a calendar adjustment to end the season on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Staff presented results from the 2024–25 winter dredge survey, conducted annually by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Staff reported total crab abundance declined 25% to an estimated 238,000,000 crabs; adult female abundance decreased 19% to about 108,000,000 (above the stated low threshold of 72,000,000 but below the abundance target of 196,000,000); adult male abundance fell about 43% to about 26,000,000; and juvenile abundance decreased roughly 25% to 103,000,000.

Staff noted the female exploitation rate for the fishery was about 22% in the most recent year, below the 37% overfishing trigger and the 28% management target. Harvest in Virginia fell about 17% to roughly 15,415,000 pounds and dockside value declined to about $34.5 million. Staff also flagged a longer-term trend of declining participation: of those eligible for a crab license, only about 57% were active fishers.

Based on those data, staff recommended a status-quo package for seasons and bushel limits for hard crabs and other gear types and recommended keeping the winter dredge fishery closed for Dec. 1, 2025–March 31, 2026. The Crab Management Advisory Committee (CMAQ) unanimously recommended status quo but asked the commission to set a season close on Saturday, Dec. 20 (rather than the weekday date staff proposed) to better align with weekend fishing patterns; staff had no objection to the Dec. 20 closing date.

Commissioner Headley moved to approve staff recommendations while adopting CMAQ’s suggested Dec. 20 closing date; Commissioner White seconded. The motion passed 6–0 (Commission Member Edwards was absent from the vote). The commission directed staff and CMAQ to continue work on a forthcoming benchmark stock assessment, to reconvene work groups on “sponge” (egg-carrying) crabs, and to revisit license-wait-list questions after the new stock assessment is complete.

Staff said a full benchmark stock assessment is expected to be peer-reviewed and available for management consideration in early spring 2026, and commissioners said they would revisit any measures if that assessment recommended changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-06-24 Virginia Marine Resources Commission Meeting (Part 2)","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved staff recommendations to keep seasons and bushel limits unchanged for 2025–26, voted to keep the winter commercial dredge fishery closed and adjusted the winter close date to Saturday, Dec. 20, following review of a downward trend in crab abundance from the February dredge survey.","taxTitle","Marine Resources Commission, Executive Agencies, Executive, Virginia","taxId",36425,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6177789,"Marine Resources Commission tables Oyster Valley lease, asks parties to meet before July",228,314000,542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332647-c529fcc905829adb03d53ccba4e770a7&start=314&end=542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332647-c529fcc905829adb03d53ccba4e770a7/thumbnail_314000.jpg","/articles/6177789/Virginia/Marine-Resources-Commission-tables-Oyster-Valley-lease-asks-parties-to-meet-before-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177789-739aa320abacf5fe7b62284d6bfa60d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775596519&Signature=fv5vc8hCa99j4AmkbKm5kS3RT-nHPoFc7Hzqso2JU-8gasuZqbWM6LkgFB4rulMxT4DKhZjv0z842UczigTbEAw7gRj-hvmpnTKHc4ECz5~a2ydD7jpgMm7fM2bfDxzYbXiyKwSSjBHMbQISoCi6-Xzmo9CVVfvoGfMk-CHJnZxkCG3Hu~e1QdDS6fqAylZBDMNmRr9dyh-askNiYguKN9UmjOqF9P6~2q2jEidt-SGpECVl4gW64K4MoiKXRMGy~PZue5BSr697uldPXN5XruOFnJJCql58HQAWJQ6Shu9dUd8G1aqlCA3t7JARphHJQ2bjcROWJ0pcX63jfC44sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marine Resources Commission on June 24 voted to table consideration of the Oyster Valley lease until the commission’s July meeting and asked the two parties to meet and seek a compromise.

Commissioners said the timetable for completing a required survey and allowing the statutory 30-day public comment period makes it unlikely the matter could be fully ready for a July decision. Commissioner Erskine moved to table the item to the July meeting; Commissioner Kellam seconded the motion. The motion passed with three yes votes, two no votes and two abstentions.

The commission’s staff noted that if the footprint of the lease is changed the application would need to be re-advertised in its new footprint and re-noticed for public comment. Staff also said survey costs would be borne by the applicant and that, even with meetings between the parties before July, there would be insufficient time to complete a new survey and complete the 30-day public comment period prior to the July meeting. Commissioner White asked whether 30 days would be enough time and whether any petitions or public-notice steps would be required; staff replied that changing the size would likely require re-advertising.

During discussion, Ms. Edwards expressed sympathy for the applicant’s economic position and said she regretted that the commission was not moving forward with accepting the current proposal. The commission clarified that placing the item on the July agenda would not itself guarantee a vote in July; the agenda listing would provide a deadline for the two parties to meet and report back on progress.

The tabling motion instructed staff to return the item to the July agenda and gave the parties a deadline to confer and report on any compromise. The motion’s recorded outcome was three in favor, two opposed and two abstentions; the commission secretary recorded the motion as carried. The commission did not adopt any substantive changes to the lease at the meeting.

The commission will take up the Oyster Valley lease again at its July meeting, at which time members said they expect an update on whether the applicant has started and paid for any required survey work.","The Marine Resources Commission voted to table the Oyster Valley lease until its July meeting and asked the two parties to meet to seek a compromise; commissioners noted surveys, advertising and public comment timelines that make a July vote uncertain.","actionData","errors"]

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Marine Resources Commission adopts 2025–26 blue crab measures, keeps winter dredge season closed (dec. 20 closing date)

Marine Resources Commission tables Oyster Valley lease, asks parties to meet before July