Working Waterfronts provide critical access to coastal waters for people engaged in commercial and recreational fishing, seafood processing, boat building, aquaculture and other water-dependent businesses.

Unfortunately, they are disappearing. It’s time to find solutions.

Overview of Virginia’s Regional Working Waterfronts

Virginia’s Eastern Shore:

Regional Value

• Since colonial times, working waterfronts have been essential infrastructure to the Eastern Shore's economy.

• Clam and oyster aquaculture industries have historically been key sources of income for Eastern Shore citizens who have access to growing areas and off-loading sites.

• Many of the Eastern Shore's waterfront towns have made investments into enhancing and preserving their public harbors, and Accomack and Northampton Counties maintain numerous public facilities used by working watermen.

Regional Challenges

• Shifting land ownership and waterfront development have negatively impacted working waterfronts in areas with growing tourism economies.

• Viewshed issues have arisen between landowners and clam and oyster growers.

• Natural hazards such as sea level rise and storm surge in tandem with aging infrastructure and navigability have reduced the working capacity of working waterfronts.

• The watermen demographic is aging and fewer young people are going into business within the industry.

Hampton Roads:

Regional Value

• Working waterfronts and water-related industries have been a key part of the regional economy and history since the founding of Jamestown in 1607.

• Hampton Roads ranked 13th of all major U.S. ports in the total value of commercial fishery landings in 2012, bringing in seafood worth $64.1 million.

Regional Challenges

• Rising demand for waterfront land is encouraging the transition from working water-fronts to other commercial and residential uses.

• Environmental challenges such as pollution and disease are reducing seafood populations.

• Regulations, such as time limits and fishery closings, and are hampering the ability of vessels to offload their catches locally, affecting ancillary businesses.

Middle Peninsula:

Regional Value

• Commercial fishing and working waterfronts play a central role in the history, culture, development and economy of the region.

• Over 10% of Virginia Blue Crab landings come through lower Gloucester County alone.

Regional Challenges

• Conflict and pressure from competing and adjoining uses

• Cultural shifts are changing the demographics of the once rural coastal waterfront

• Commercial watermen and water-dependent businesses are being displaced

• The working waterfront fabric and cultural identity of the Middle Peninsula is under increasing duress

Northern Neck:

Regional Value

• Heritage—Since Colonial Times, residents of the Neck gathered oysters and netted fish for sustenance. 

• Culture—The independence, work ethic and perseverance of commercial fishermen are well known. In the early 1900s Reedville was the wealthiest town in the nation, due to the menhaden fishery.

• Economy—Commercial and recreational charter fishing, boat building, net repair, and marinas help diversify the largely agricultural economy of the region.

Regional Challenges

• It is becoming increasingly difficult for localities to add new public water access points for commercial and recreation water uses. Land prices for waterfront land adjacent to deep water have increased. Public  access to the water is critical for commercial watermen as well as for recreational purposes.

What is the Virginia CZM Program doing to preserve Virginia's working waterfronts?