Commercial Fishing Licenses

A guide to Virginia commercial fishing licenses — from VMRC commercial licenses for selling your catch, to gear endorsements, dealer licenses, and vessel registration for Chesapeake Bay watermen.

Virginia Commercial Fishing License

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) issues commercial fishing licenses for anyone who wants to sell their catch. This is a significant step up from recreational licenses — more paperwork, higher fees, and strict reporting requirements. Many commercial fisheries are limited-entry, meaning VMRC caps the number of licenses issued to prevent overfishing.

Commercial License Requirements

• Must be a Virginia resident (with limited exceptions)
• Must demonstrate fishing experience (varies by endorsement)
• Required for harvesting and selling finfish, shellfish, crabs, shrimp
• Must land catch in Virginia
• Subject to trip limits, size limits, and seasonal closures
• May require additional endorsements (e.g., crab, shrimp, finfish)

Commercial License Fees (Approximate)

Commercial Fishing License (base)	$200+
Crab Endorsement	$50+
Shrimp Trawl Endorsement	$80+
Gill Net Endorsement	$50+
Vessel Registration (annual)	See below

Fees vary by endorsement and may change. Verify with VMRC before applying.

Limited Entry System

Many VMRC commercial endorsements are limited-entry — VMRC caps the number of licenses issued to prevent overfishing. If the cap is reached, you'll be placed on a waiting list. Some endorsements can be transferred between individuals (e.g., when a licensed waterman retires), which has created a secondary market. Check theVMRC websitefor current availability.

Important: Recreational Catch Cannot Be Sold

• Cannot sell your catch without a commercial license.
• A fish legally kept under a recreational bag limit cannot be sold, traded, or bartered.
• Gear must be marked with your license number and identification.
• Gear restrictions vary by water body and season — always check current VMRC proclamations.
• Some waters are closed to certain gear types entirely.

Dealer's License

If you want to buy catch from watermen and resell it — running a seafood market, selling to restaurants, or distributing wholesale — you need a Virginia Fish Dealer's License from VMRC.

Dealer License Requirements

• Must maintain accurate records of all purchases and sales
• Must report landings to VMRC (typically via the mandatory reporting system)
• Must verify sellers hold valid commercial licenses
• Subject to inspection by VMRC enforcement
• Separate licenses for different species categories (finfish, shellfish, crustaceans)

Mandatory Reporting

Virginia requires commercial harvest reporting. Every transaction between a waterman and a dealer must be recorded:

• Species, weight, and count
• Gear type used
• Landing location and date
• Fisher's license number
• Market value / sale price

Vessel Registration

If you're fishing from a boat with commercial gear, the vessel itself must be registered with Virginia DWR (or US Coast Guard for federally documented vessels).

Vessel Requirements

Registration

• All motorized vessels must be registered in Virginia
• Registration renewed every 3 years
• Registration number displayed on bow
• Current validation decals

Commercial Vessel Endorsement

• Vessel must be listed on your commercial license application
• Gear must match vessel capacity
• Safety equipment per USCG regulations
• Commercial liability insurance (recommended)

Virginia DWR Vessel Registration →

Gear Restrictions

VMRC regulates commercial gear types tightly to protect Chesapeake Bay fisheries. Rules change frequently via VMRC proclamations — always check current regulations before setting gear.

Crab Pots

• Commercial: varies by endorsement (typically 50–100+ pots)
• Pots must be marked with license number
• Escapement panels required (cull rings)
• Terrapin excluder devices required in some areas
• Closed areas in certain Bay tributaries

Gill Nets

• Commercial: endorsement-specific footage limits
• Must be attended in some waters
• Mesh size restrictions by target species
• Seasonal closures for sea turtle / sturgeon protection
• Marked with license info at required intervals

Shrimp Trawls

• Commercial: endorsement-specific limits
• TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices) required by federal law
• BRDs (Bycatch Reduction Devices) required
• Closed areas in the Bay during certain seasons
• Night trawling restrictions in some waters

Other Gear

• Eel pots require endorsement on commercial license
• Must be marked and tended per regulations
• Hook-and-line commercial fishing allowed under commercial license
• Cast nets: size limits on mesh and radius
• Clam rakes, oyster tongs: gear-specific rules

Seasonal Closures

VMRC closes certain waters to specific gear types seasonally to protect spawning fish, migrating sea turtles, and overfished stocks. Closures are announced viaVMRC Proclamations — check them before every trip.

Common Seasonal Closures

Striped Bass (Chesapeake Bay): Short seasons, strict quotas — set by VMRC proclamation
River Herring: No harvest — closed year-round
Shrimp trawling: Closed in internal waters at certain times
Gill nets: Closed in sea turtle interaction zones seasonally
Oyster season: Typically Oct–March, varies by area
Blue Crab: Winter dredge season; pot season varies

How to Stay Updated

• Subscribe to VMRC email proclamation notifications
• Check the VMRC proclamations page before each trip
• Call VMRC at (757) 247-2200 for current rules
• Monitor VHF Channel 16 for emergency closures
• Follow VMRC on social media

Current VMRC Regulations →

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

VMRC is the authority on all commercial fishing regulations in Virginia. Contact them directly for license applications, endorsements, and current proclamations.

VMRC Homepage

Regulations, licenses, proclamations, and enforcement.

GoOutdoorsVA

Buy recreational licenses online.

VMRC Regulations

Current seasonal closures and emergency rules.

Virginia DWR

Vessel registration, freshwater licensing, enforcement.

Contact VMRC

Main Office:

(757) 247-2200

License Section: