VMRC REQUIREMENTS
TRAINING
Prior to the purchase of any VMRC shellfish licenses or permits, mandatory educational training must be completed. The training can be completed online, is free, and takes under an hour. The training is valid for 5 years. The purpose is to educate shellfish growers on the risks to human health associated with shellfish consumption and how controls on handling and harvest minimize those risks. All shellfish harvesters must take the training.
- A VMRC ID number is required to complete the online training. If you don’t have a VMRC ID number or need assistance, contact Jamie Hogge, MRC at 757-247-2120. Upon completion of the course, proceed to a local agent to purchase permits.
- Harvester Fact Sheet
OYSTER USER FEE
There is an oyster aquaculture user fee that is required each year prior to harvest. There are different fee amounts depending on a variety of factors, for a commercial aquaculture operation on a riparian assignment or general oyster planting ground lease, the fee is $50. The revenue is used for the oyster replenishment program which benefits the health of the entire oyster industry. This fee needs to be paid each year before renewing or purchasing permits/licenses.
- Oyster Resource User Fee Details.
- The fee for private ground is $50.
- Pay at any one of the agency’s licensing agents found here: Marine Resource Commission License Agents or by mail to MRC. User fees cannot be paid at the Marine Police Operations Center in Newport News.
VMRC LICENSE FOR THE BUSINESS OWNER
Aquaculture on private ground requires an Aquaculture Product Owners License . There are both oyster and clam product owner licenses so if you grow both – get both. If you are just starting out – wait to get this license until you have product in the water because mandatory reporting is required once this license is obtained (refer to harvest reporting section). Only 1 License is needed per company and it should be the person who will file the mandatory reporting, which is typically either the lease holder or business owner.
- Obtain from one of the Marine Resource Commission License Agents or Northern Area Field Office (call first 804-580-2901).
- Cost is $10 annually
- Licenses are issued annually on January 1 of each year and have an end date of December 31.
- Similar to a driver’s license, all licenses must be carried when working on your grounds and available to be presented to an officer if they request.
- Link to the VMRC Regulation: Pertaining to Commercial Fishing and Mandatory Reporting
VMRC PERMITS FOR THE WORKERS THAT HARVEST
All workers harvesting shellfish on your farm will need an Annual Harvester permit.
These permits can be obtained 1 of 2 ways:
1. Purchase an Aquaculture Harvester License for all workers involved in harvest. Cost is $5 per person.
- Renew each year
- The Aquaculture Product Owner does not also need a harvester permit.
- Obtain from one of the Marine Resource Commission License Agents or Law Enforcement Field Office
- Licenses are issued annually on January 1 of each year and have an end date of December 31.
- Similar to a driver’s license, all licenses must be carried when working on your grounds and available to be presented to an officer if they request.
- Link to the VMRC regulation: Pertaining to Commercial Fishing and Mandatory Harvest Reporting
2. Purchase an Oyster and/or Clam Aquaculture Vessel Permit (No cost)
- Renew each year
- Permit is issued to the Aquaculture Product Owner for the vessel to transport harvesters who do not possess individual oyster or clam aquaculture harvest permits.
- Obtain from one of the Marine Resource Commission License Agents or Law Enforcement Field Office.
- Link to the VMRC regulation: Pertaining to Commercial Fishing and Mandatory Harvest Reporting
TAGGING
All harvested shellfish must be tagged BEFORE leaving lease OR before going to another harvest area (required year- round). The harvest tag must remain on the shellfish throughout transport and when delivered to a certified dealer. The tags have specific requirements for size, format and material which is approved by VMRC and VDH Shellfish Safety. Note – shellfish harvesters must only sell to a certified shellfish dealer (refer to the VDH section for more information).
- Harvester tags can be obtained from one of the Marine Resource Commission License Agents
- Link to the VMRC Regulation: Pertaining to the Tagging of Shellfish
MARINE SANITATION ON HARVEST VESSELS
Shellfish harvesting vessels are required to have a marine sanitation device. This can be as simple as a bucket labeled “human waste” with a lid.
- Link to the VMRC Regulation: Pertaining to Shellfish Handling
WARM WATER HARVEST - ALL SHELLFISH
Warm water harvest restrictions are in effect from May 1 through October 31. This is when naturally-occurring bacteria (vibrios) that have the potential to make people ill are in higher numbers. We can’t do anything to get rid of vibrio in the environment but controls are in place to limit the growth of the bacteria in shellfish. It’s all about time and temperature. Harvest when it’s coolest and keep shellfish cool.
- Shading over the area where harvested shellfish are stored is required
- All shellfish shall be shaded during land-based deliveries
- No pets/animals are allowed on shellfish harvest vessels
- Link to the VMRC Regulation: Pertaining to Restrictions on Shellfish
WARM WATER HARVEST CURFEWS & PERMITS - OYSTERS
Warm Water Harvest restrictions are in effect from May 1 through October 31. This is when naturally-occurring bacteria (vibrios) that have the potential to make people ill are in higher numbers. We can’t do anything to get rid of vibrio in the environment but controls are in place to limit the growth of the bacteria in shellfish. It’s all about time and temperature. Harvest when it’s coolest and keep shellfish cool.
Warm Water Harvesting Curfews
In order to help preserve health and safety, the VMRC has set daily harvesting curfews for warm water harvesting, by which time all harvesting must stop depending on the time of year. From May 1 to October 31, it is illegal to harvest oysters after the established curfew times. During this time of the year, all land-based delivers must be made to VDH-approved temperature-controlled trucks.
VMRC provides permits to allow you to harvest after the monthly designated curfew times under specific situations, such as oysters not for raw consumption, or that are quickly placed into temperature control.
- Curfew image for quick reference
Link to the VMRC Regulation: Pertaining to Restrictions on Shellfish
Warm Water Permits
All Oyster Permits listed below are Required May 1 – October 31. Apply online every year.
Aquaculture husbandry permit: Required for cage culturists who want to handle oysters for husbandry purposes after the designated harvesting times specified in the warm water harvest regulations. Basically, if you grow oysters in cages – you need this.
Warm water shellfish GPS permit: Required for the harvest of oysters outside of the designated harvesting times specified in the warm water harvest regulations (appropriate for those who work on the tidal cycle). Tracking device shall be on board the harvest vessel or with the individual and must be in continuous operation – during harvest and until the oysters harvested are offloaded from that vessel or onto the dock/shore and placed into trucks or other conveyances equipped with VDH-approved temperature-controlled storage.
Shellfish Icing Permit: Required for the harvest of oysters using ice outside of the designated harvesting times specified in the warm water harvest regulations.
First, apply for an icing permit with your local Virginia Dept. of Health, Shellfish Safety field office.
Second, apply for a VMRC Shellfish Icing Permit
Questions?
Contact Andrew Button at andrew.button@mrc.virginia.gov. or Adam Kenyon at 757-247-2225 or adam.kenyon@mrc.virginia.gov
HARVEST REPORTING - ALL SHELLFISH
All Aquaculture Product Owners are required to report the total monthly harvest of their product by the 5th of the following month.
- All harvest of oysters is required to be reported online. Individuals can request an account on-line at: https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/harvest/
- Link to VMRC Regulation: Pertaining to Commercial Fishing and Mandatory Harvest Reporting
Questions?
IF you have questions about reporting or need assistance requesting an online account, contact the VMRC mandatory reporting staff at 757-247-2241
FACT SHEETS
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