WHEREAS, Virginia’s commercial watermen are the backbone of the Commonwealth’s working waterfronts, providing sustainably harvested seafood that generates over $1 billion in annual economic impact and supports thousands of jobs in coastal communities; and

WHEREAS, more than 2,550 licensed commercial watermen in Virginia work year-round on the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and the Atlantic Ocean, continuing a tradition of skill and stewardship passed down through generations; and

WHEREAS, the work of Virginia’s commercial watermen sustains a maritime culture built over centuries, and protecting their safety is essential to ensuring this heritage continues for years to come; and

WHEREAS, these men and women harvest a wide variety of species, including scallops, clams, oysters, blue crabs, flounder, mackerel, and menhaden, through practices that keep Virginia’s fisheries productive for future generations; and

WHEREAS, Virginia is the largest seafood producer on the East Coast by volume of landings, and the Commonwealth’s waters have supported livelihood and commerce since the 1600s; and 

WHEREAS, commercial fishing is among the most hazardous occupations in the United States, with watermen facing risks from severe weather, vessel accidents, heavy equipment, and the challenges of working in remote and unpredictable marine environments; and

WHEREAS, promoting safety through training, proper vessel maintenance, the use of life-saving equipment, and adherence to navigation and fisheries regulations is essential to protecting lives and preserving the strength of the industry; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, in partnership with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, law enforcement agencies, and the fishing community, works to support safe working conditions on the water; and

WHEREAS, the 2025 state budget invests more than $25 million in fisheries management, habitat restoration, and working waterfront infrastructure, thereby strengthening safety, productivity, and resilience within Virginia’s seafood industry; and

WHEREAS, all Virginians are encouraged to support commercial watermen by respecting their work areas while boating or fishing, and by recognizing the vital role they play in the Commonwealth’s economy and way of life; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 14-20, 2025, as COMMERCIAL WATERMEN SAFETY WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.