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VMRC narrows expansion of shrimp-trawl licenses: up to five new licenses added, eligibility tied to gear inspection
Summary
The VMRC on July 22 adopted regulatory changes for the emerging shrimp-trawl fishery, including season adjustments, gear changes and reporting methods, and limited expansion of limited-entry licenses to up to five additional licenses available only to experimental-permit holders who have had their gear inspected as of the meeting date.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission adopted a package of amendments July 22 to regulate an emerging commercial shrimp-trawl fishery while limiting license expansion. Staff proposed five main changes: (1) expand the number of limited-entry commercial shrimp-trawl licenses (staff initially proposed increasing the total from 12 to up to 26), (2) establish an Eastern Shore trawl-harvest area, (3) extend the season start earlier (to September 15), (4) modify maximum beam-trawl height from 4 feet to 5 feet, and (5) change bycatch reporting so that bycatch is recorded on mandatory trip tickets instead of separate daily call-ins.
Commissioners and many public commenters debated the license expansion most intensively. Staff summarized years of experimental permits, catch-and-effort data and observer program results: Virginia Beach (regulated since 2021) had stable participation with observed low bycatch (overall under ~0.5 lb of bycatch per pound of shrimp in observer trips), while the Eastern Shore remained largely experimental with limited trips, challenging navigation and few consistent harvesters. Staff said the Eastern Shore area is larger (~277 square miles vs ~109 square miles for the Virginia Beach area) but had fewer active fishers and more uncertain grounds (wrecks, sandbars), which helps explain limited experimental participation.
After public testimony from shrimpers (including Mark West, George Trice, Charles De Marino) and extended commission discussion, Associate Member Preston moved to adopt the staff package but modify the license expansion: instead of immediately adding up to 14 additional licenses, the commission authorized up to five new licenses (bringing total authorized licenses up to 17), and limited eligibility for those up to five licenses to individuals who had an Eastern Shore experimental permit and who had their shrimp-trawl gear inspected by VMRC staff as of the date of the meeting. The motion, as amended and clarified on the record, passed 8-0.
Other staff recommendations adopted without further change included the Eastern Shore harvest-area creation, earlier season start (Sept. 15), the increase of beam-trawl height to 5 feet, and the change to record bycatch on required trip tickets; the requirement to report interactions with protected species within 24 hours remains. The commission directed staff to implement the new licensing eligibility language and to update regulatory text accordingly. Staff will also monitor the fishery and adjust record keeping to capture bycatch on trip tickets.
