The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted Oct. 28 to raise the cost of saltwater recreational fishing licenses by $5 each. The individual saltwater resident license will increase from $17.50 to $22.50, while the individual saltwater non-resident license fee would rise from $25 to $30.

The increased fees, which will become effective Jan. 1, 2015, will ensure continuation of core recreational fishing programs, said Laurie Naismith, VMRC’s public information officer.

The various saltwater recreational license fees will generate almost $550,000 in additional revenue over the next two years, Naismith said. The fee increases follow General Assembly budget reductions in recent years that have affected various state fisheries programs. More than a dozen people expressed opposition to the plan in correspondence to the commission prior to the meeting, Naismith said, and one person—a charter boat captain—spoke against the proposed changes during the scheduled public heari...