As a reminder that commercial fishing is an important part of the State of Virginia’s economy, Commonwealth’s governor Glenn Youngkin issued a proclamation recently that the week of September 15-21 is “Commercial Waterman Safety Week.”

The proclamation notes that the “Commonwealth’s commercial watermen and seafood industry generate over $1 billion in economic impact to the state and that there are 1,500 commercial watermen who “risk their lives sustaining a tradition passed down through generations.”

It further states that “Virginia stands as the largest seafood producer on the East Coast based on volume of landings,” which includes “scallops, clams, blue crabs, oysters, flounder, mackerel, menhaden and other species integral to the culinary industry . . . around the world.”

Watermen’s safety

The proclamation addressed an attack on menhaden fishermen on Sept. 23, 2023, when a recreational watercraft rider circled inside a purse seine and barely maneuvered the watercraft out of the net as two purse boats were coming together - just escaping a disaster.

This attack resulted in the state’s General Assembly approving “The Right to Fish” bill introduced by Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent, who represents Virginia’s Northern Neck, in March 2024. The bill increases penalties for harassing watermen to a Class I misdemeanor, which is confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.

The Class 1 misdemeanor is for any person who knowingly and intentionally interferes with or impedes the operation of commercial fishing activity of a commercial fishing vessel within the territorial waters of the Commonwealth.

The new proclamation states that “the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have served as a vital workplace since the 1600s, and it’s imperative we ensure commercial watermen have access to a secure and safe work environment.”

Also, that “the Commonwealth aims to raise awareness about the safety and well-being of commercial watermen, emphasizing the importance of safe watercraft operations and existing policies, informed by Virginia’s robust scientific community, including the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, strive to make Virginia’s seafood industry and the work of commercial watermen a sustainable practice for the future.”

The Governor emphasized, “Citizens are encouraged to continue to engage in recreational fishing activities while respecting the operation of commercial watermen.”