November 9, 2026
Watermen
4 strains of salmonella reported in Little Wicomico oysters
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed that oysters from the Little Wicomico Oyster Company (LWOC) contained the same strain of Salmonella making people sick in a multistate outbreak.
Salmonella Outbreak Spans Multiple States
Little Wicomico oyster samples test positive for Salmonella, VDH reported.
Emergency Shellfish Condemnation in Lower Machodoc Set to End
An emergency shellfish condemnation in Lower Machodoc Creek in Westmoreland, which makes it unlawful to remove shellfish from for any reason, is set to expire Oct. 29.
Federal Watershed Grants Awarded to Support Projects Focused on Rappahannock Tribe
At an event in Smithfield this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced more than $90 million in funding for Chesapeake Bay watershed initiatives, including two Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants supporting efforts to improve access to culturally important fisheries for the Rappahannock Tribe.
Colonial Beach calls for action on menhaden
Last Wednesday, Colonial Beach Town Council held a particularly lengthy meeting, and one of the final items of the evening involved the adoption of a resolution urging Virginia legislators in both houses to put more resources toward research on the status of menhaden as well as the effects of industrial fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. The council also asked that the Virginia Marine Resources Commission begin implementing measures such as a pause on industrial reduction fishing in the Chesapeake.
VDH ISSUES EMERGENCY CONDEMNATION FOR LITTLE WICOMICO SHELLFISH
Last Friday, the Virginia Department of Health issued an emergency shellfish area condemnation for the Little Wicomico River following a reported link to a Salmonella outbreak in Pennsylvania.
Community Shows Strong Support for Menhaden Industry at ASMFC Hearing
Anyone who passed Academic Lane Saturday morning could have been led to believe school was in session.