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VMRC tweaks recreational rules: bluefish bag limits raised; black sea bass options sent to public hearing; February payback planned

Virginia Marine Resources Commission · March 31, 2026

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Summary

The commission set private/for‑hire bluefish bag limits equally at five fish, agreed to advertise alternative black sea bass options (including possible 12.5" and 13" minimums and season start dates) for April public comment, and directed staff on mid‑season closures to fulfill February black sea bass payback days.

At its March 31 meeting VMRC advanced several fisheries regulatory items. On bluefish, staff proposed increasing the private/shore bag from 3 to 5 fish and for‑hire to 7; commissioners voted to align private and for‑hire limits at 5 fish for both sectors to simplify enforcement and avoid sector separation confusion.

For black sea bass, staff presented two options to implement ASMFC’s coastwide liberalization: (1) a May 1–Dec 31 season with a reduced minimum size to 12.5" and a 15‑fish bag; or (2) an earlier season open (April 1–Dec 31) with a 13" minimum. Because ASMFC required states to declare their measures quickly, the board agreed to advertise both options for an April public hearing and to decide in April which option to present to ASMFC (the advertisement as sent allows consideration of both options and will not lock Virginia into a lower size without Commission action).

Staff also outlined the February black sea bass recreational season payback calculation. Using MRIP‑derived daily harvest rates and reporting data from the February season, staff proposed a mid‑season closure (10 days in May/June) to account for the 33,532 pounds landed in February; commissioners directed staff to present date options and methodology at the April meeting.

Commissioners stressed clarity and public outreach so anglers understand any changes and instructed staff to coordinate advertisement, procurement and enforcement language ahead of the April hearing.