The Watermen
Watermen have been catching Virginia’s renowned blue crabs and 86 other varieties of commercially-valued seafood since the first settlers landed in Jamestown. Thanks to this abundant fishery, Virginia is the nation’s third largest seafood producer and the largest on America’s Atlantic coast
And it’s no wonder why. The waters of the Chesapeake Bay are the nation’s largest and most biologically diverse estuary, yielding more seafood than any of the 840 other estuaries in our land. Add to that some 362 million pounds of fin fish and shellfish caught from our rivers, coastal and Atlantic waters.
Virginia’s shellfish, including scallops, clams, blue crab, soft-shell crab and oysters, inspire chefs around the world to create culinary masterpieces. Seafood lovers will seek out popular varieties of fresh fish such as flounder, mackerel, croaker, and striped bass to name a few. Plus, when you feature exotic seafood like monkfish, butterfish, eel or conch, diners are guaranteed a meal they won’t forget.
Even better, you know that Virginia Seafood will be delivered fresh and tasty since 96% of our catch is made on day boats. Almost before the fish know they’re out of the water, they’re back at the dock. Within 12-24 hours a fleet of refrigerated trucks and commercial airlines deliver our seafood to a waiting world.
There’s also assurance of safety and quality. Virginia’s waters and products are regulated by federal and state agencies including the FDA, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, insuring that only safe, wholesome seafood reaches our customers.
Virginia Seafood is available nationally through supermarkets, specialty stores and restaurants.