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VMRC closes 2024–25 winter crab-dredge season and keeps pot-season dates unchanged
Summary
VMRC voted to close the winter crab-dredge season for 2024–25 and, after lengthy debate about uncertain March harvests and recent extensions of daily fishing hours, decided to keep crab-pot season dates unchanged (status quo); dredge closure passed 6–1, and the pot-season status-quo motion passed 6–1.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted to close the 2024–25 winter crab-dredge season and, after extended debate, kept the existing crab-pot season dates.
Staff reviewed the legal authority (Code of Virginia Section 28.2707), the history of a 2008 fishery disaster that led to prior dredge closures and the results of CMAQ and VIMS consultations. VMRC staff said the state repealed a prior prohibition on dredging earlier in the year and that, without new regulations, the fishery would otherwise open on Dec. 1. CMAQ and VIMS provided analysis showing the winter dredge fishery tends to take a high proportion of adult females and can produce substantial incidental mortality; staff recommended closing the 2024–25 dredge season while the agency develops a regulatory framework (participant limits, allowed gear, quotas) for any future dredge fishery.
The Commission voted to close the crab-dredge season for Dec. 1, 2024–Mar. 31, 2025; the motion carried 6–1 (Commissioner Headley opposed). The decision will be revisited annually as required by court precedent and statutory structure.
On crab pots, staff reported CMAQ considered three options: status quo (close mid-December and open March 17), staff recommendation (extend to Dec. 31 and open March 17), and CMAQ's preferred option (Dec. 31 close with a March 1 opening). Commissioners and outside experts (VIMS) warned that March harvests are highly temperature-dependent and that earlier openings could harvest essentially the same females that would be captured later — potentially reducing future spawning stock. Watermen and processors urged earlier openings to capture market opportunities and to collect data.
After floor debate and competing motions, the Commission chose status quo for pot seasons (close Dec. 16 and open March 17 in the current schedule). The pot-season substitute motion passed 6–1. Staff will continue to work with CMAQ and VIMS to refine the dredge framework; a new stock assessment is scheduled for availability in 2026.
