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Larry_Chowning

Larry Chowning

Contributor

Larry Chowning is a writer for the Southside Sentinel in Urbanna, Va., a regular contributor to National Fisherman, and the author of numerous books.

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The battle over Virginia's menhaden reduction fishery to fish has, for the time being, been stalled in the state's general assembly with all bills introduced to regulate or prohibit the fishery being killed or tabled in committees. Photo by Larry Chowning

Last 2026 General Assembly bill to regulate Virginia menhaden fishery stalls

These Reedville, Va., menhaden steamers await the outcome of the ongoing debate of how much menhaden fishing will be allowed in 2026 on Virginia waters. Photo by Larry Chowning

Virginia will remain in ASMFC as bill to withdraw was continued to 2027

Two bills in the Virginia General Assembly to regulate the state's menhaden reduction fishery have been killed in committees, while one that requires fisheries observers on boats and more control of harvest levels moves forward. Photo by Larry Chowning

Two bills related to Virginia's menhaden stall in committee, one moves forward

A Senate proposed bill for Virginia to withdraw from the ASMFC in support of the state's reduction menhaden fishery could be costly to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Photo courtesy of Larry Chowning

Virginia Bill to remove state from ASMFC could be costly to VMRC

Three bills introduced in the Virginia Legislature attack the state's menhaden reduction fishery. Photo by Larry Chowning

Three bills introduced to control Virginia menhaden fishery

This 21' x 8' New England built skiff is used in the Chesapeake Bay oyster fishery. It is getting a new fiberglass bottom at Jennings Boatyard Inc. in Reedville, Va. Larry Chowning photo.

New England boats as 'icebreakers' in Chesapeake oyster fishery

A bill was introduced in the Virginia General Assembly in January that calls for the state to leave the Atlantic Marine Fisheries Commission Compact and to instead create a Menhaden Management Advisory Committee to assist the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in managing the fishery. Larry Chowning photo.

Bill calls for Virginia to leave ASMFC

This photo of the Nellie Crockett was taken in 1984 when she was owned by James Ward of Deltaville, Va. and was being used to plant seed oysters. Larry Chowning photo.

Happy 100th to the buyboats

The Connecticut schooner Suzanna has recently been fiberglassed at Cockrell's Marine Railway in Heathsville, Va. Cockrell's Marine Railway photo.

Suzanna gets a new shine

Crew members working Ocean Harvesters purse boats earn $70,000 for seven months plus benefits. At a Sept. 15 press conference the company introduced the new $9 million fish steamer Tangier Sound to show what the company gives back to the community. Larry

Ocean Harvesters fight to keep fishing