Virginia. Marine Resources Commission

The CODE 62.1-3 requires that all projects exceeding established dollar limits, involve wetlands or sand dunes, encroachments on state bottoms, or protested must apply for permits from the Commission before starting. The application files document the request for, review and disposal of applications for permits.

In 1908 the Commission of Fisheries succeeded the State Board of Fisheries as the regulatory agency for the seafood industry and the protector of the fisheries resources of the Commonwealth. Prior to this, protection of fisheries resources was a local responsibility. In 1968 the name of the Commission was changed to Marine Resources Commission. This change reflected the Commission's broad authority to regulate and protect the entire range of marine resources. A wetlands act in 1972 gave localities the option to zone for the protection of wetlands with the Commission having overview or primary authority depending on the option elected by the locality. In addition, the Commission has the authority to develop guidelines to assist local wetlands boards. The Marine Resources Commission operates from it main office at 2401 West Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. The Commission is under the Secretary of Natural Resources.

A seven member Commission is headed by a Commissioner who is appointed by the governor for a term coincident with that of the governor, and with the approval of the General Assembly. The members are representative of various aspects of the fishing industry, with one member required to have made a living in the industry.

The mission of the Commission is to manage, regulate and develop marine fishery resources, and protect and preserve the marine habitat through a project review and permitting system. More specific objectives are to provide services for the state's commercial fishermen and oystermen since the public oyster grounds and state-owned bottoms are leased to various seafood industries.

Within the Commission are four divisions: Administration and Finance, Law Enforcement, Fisheries Management, and Habitat Management. Administration and Finance deals with internal matters of budget, personnel, accounting, hearings and records; Law Enforcement issues licenses for all fishing activities, enforces fisheries laws, regulations or rules, patrols condemned areas mandated by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, and assists in enforcement of the Small Boat Safety Act and general marine patrol and search and rescue; Fisheries Management carries out repletion programs on public oyster rocks, gathers statistics, and conducts sports fishing programs; Habitat Management manages the wetlands and state-owned bottom through a use permit procedure.