TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION

Final Regulation

Title of Regulation: 4VAC20-1390. Pertaining to Shrimp (amending 4VAC20-1390-50).

Statutory Authority: § 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: June 30, 2026.

Agency Contact: Benjamin Foster, Regulatory Coordinator, Marine Resources Commission, 380 Fenwick Road, Fort Monroe, VA 23551, telephone (757) 709-9277, or email benjamin.foster@mrc.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments increase to 26 the number of Commercial Shrimp Trawl Licenses available in any fishing year.

4VAC20-1390-50. Shrimp trawl licensing and entry requirements.

A. The maximum number of Commercial Shrimp Trawl Licenses issued in any fishing year shall be 17 26.

B. An individual shall be eligible for a Commercial Shrimp Trawl License if they possess a valid Commercial Fishing Registration License and meet either of the following criteria:

1. The individual shall have possessed a Commercial Shrimp Trawl License and reported harvest of at least 500 pounds by shrimp trawl gear to the Marine Resources Commission's Mandatory Harvest Reporting Program in at least one of the previous two fishing years.

2. The individual shall have possessed an Experimental Fishing Permit for shrimp trawling and reported harvest of at least 500 pounds by shrimp trawl gear to the Marine Resources Commission's Mandatory Harvest Reporting Program during any year from 2022 through 2024 and received approval of all shrimp trawl gear prior to July 22, 2025.

C. If the number of individuals eligible for a Commercial Shrimp Trawl License pursuant to subsection B of this section is fewer than 17 26 by July 1 in the current calendar year, a lottery will be conducted, including any individual who meets all of the following criteria:

1. The individual shall possess a valid Commercial Fisherman Registration License.

2. The individual shall complete and submit a Commercial Shrimp Trawl Application that must be received by the Marine Resources Commission by the advertised deadline of the current calendar year.

3. The individual shall have reported harvest to the Marine Resources Commission's Mandatory Harvest Reporting Program of at least 1,000 pounds of harvest per year in at least three of the previous five calendar years.

D. Any individual selected under subsection C of this section who fails to return a completed Commercial Shrimp Trawl License Acceptance Form provided by the commission indicating their acceptance within 14 days of selection shall forfeit their eligibility for the current fishing year and another individual shall be selected from the list of eligible individuals pursuant to subsection C of this section.

E. The commission shall approve all shrimp trawl gear, as referenced in 4VAC20-1390-60, prior to the issuance of a Commercial Shrimp Trawl License.

F. Transfers of any Commercial Shrimp Trawl License shall be prohibited without written request to the Marine Resources Commission and approval by the Commissioner of the Marine Resources Commission or the commissioner's designee. Exceptions to transfers shall only be granted due to death, medical hardships, or military service.

G. The use of agents shall be prohibited for any Commercial Shrimp Trawl Licensee without written request to the Marine Resources Commission and approval by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. Exceptions to the use of agents shall only be granted due to death, medical hardships, or military service. The use of agents shall only be approved for a consecutive two-week period during any fishing season.

H. Each Commercial Shrimp Trawl Licensee shall report to the Marine Resources Commission's Mandatory Harvest Reporting Program an estimate of total bycatch in pounds for each fishing trip.

I. Each Commercial Shrimp Trawl Licensee shall report to the Marine Resources Commission Fisheries Management Staff interactions with any protected or endangered species within 24 hours of each trip.