Governor McAuliffe Announces Creation of Virginia Oyster Trail

Chargrilled oysters (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 ~ Proclaims November as Virginia Oyster Month, Recognizes Virginia as “Oyster Capital of the East Coast” ~

Virginia Is Leading East Coast Seafood Producer, Third Largest in the Nation

RICHMOND– Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced the creation of the Virginia Oyster Trail, a major tourism development project connecting travelers to Virginia oyster purveyors, raw bars and restaurants, and the watermen culture throughout Coastal Virginia, the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

“Virginia produces the best oysters in the world and as the oyster industry continues to grow, we want to let it be known that Virginia is also the Oyster Capital of the East Coast,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “In addition to growing, harvesting and selling the best oysters, our watermen are providing good jobs in their communities, generating revenue and tax dollars throughout their region, and helping improve the environment of the Chesapeake Bay as their oysters filter millions of gallons of water each day.”

“As my team and I work to build a new Virginia economy, I want to make sure that our tourism and agricultural industries, including our outstanding and diverse marine products sector, can and will play a significant role in that effort.”

This year, a public-private partnership of stakeholders began working together to brand the Virginia oyster travel experience to show the world that Virginia is for Oyster Lovers.  The trail offers visitors a way to enjoy Virginia’s seven different oyster regions, as well as experience the unique culture of watermen in the Chesapeake Bay.   As a result of these exciting developments with the Virginia oyster, Governor McAuliffe officially declared November as Virginia Oyster Month and named Virginia the “Oyster Capital of the East Coast.”

“The Virginia oyster pairs perfectly with another widely recognized Virginia product – wine – and some of Virginia’s oyster regions share watersheds with a number of Virginia’s outstanding wineries,” said First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “I believe this goes a long way to proving the old saying of “what grows together, goes together.”  Indeed, we have two world-class products – oysters and wine – right here in Virginia and I know that the Virginia Oyster Trail will provide new economic opportunities for both those sectors and many other businesses as we work to create a new Virginia economy.”

Virginia’s oyster harvest increased by 25 percent from 2012 to 2013, with more than 500,000 bushels – the most in nearly a generation.  Over the past 12 years, the oyster harvest in Virginia has increased from approximately 23,000 bushels in 2001 to last year’s level of just over 500,000.  This is the highest level since 1987.  The dockside value alone of the oyster harvest in 2013 was more than $22 million, up from approximately $16 million in 2012.

“In addition to being the nation’s third largest producer of marine products, Virginia is the leading East Coast seafood production state and the oyster industry plays a significant role in those both of these high rankings,” said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, noting that the Commonwealth had more than 400 million pounds in landings last year placing it behind only Alaska and Louisiana.  “We’re proud to promote Virginia oysters here and on international trade missions, where we’ve generated new export sales to China, Hong Kong, and Canada.  As we answer the Governor’s call to build a new Virginia economy, we must take an inclusive approach by working with some of our oldest businesses, such as our seafood industries, as they continue to provide good jobs and outstanding products.  With today’s announcement of the Virginia Oyster Trail, we’re hoping to spur more growth and opportunities for our watermen, the marine product sector, and other businesses along the trail.”

Virginia’s seven different oyster regions produce the largest quantity of fresh wild-caught and farm-raised oysters in the United States and each region produces oysters with distinct flavors, offering an oyster for every palate.  The Virginia oyster industry is one of the longest-standing industries in the state, providing bountiful meals for Virginia’s first inhabitants.

“The continued growth of the oyster industry and our fisheries management programs, combined with private sector investment, positively impacts the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s economy, particularly with respect to tourism,” said Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade.“Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia, accounting for over $21.2 billion in revenue and supporting 210,000 jobs in 2012.  The Virginia Oyster Trail is sure to continue this growth in tourism around the Commonwealth.”

“Virginia is in the oyster business in a major way,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “With seven different oyster regions, we are unlike any other state in the nation.  The development of the Virginia Oyster Trail will allow travelers to experience the state with taste by pairing the Virginia oyster with other quality products made in Virginia, including wine, craft beer, cider and spirits.”

The Virginia Tourism Corporation partnered with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Shellfish Growers of Virginia, the Virginia Seafood Council, the Virginia Marine Products Board, and the Artisans Center of Virginia, in addition to local tourism offices and planning district committees, to make this project a reality.  For more information on the Virginia Oyster Trail, visitvirginiaoystertrail.com.  Learn more about the various tourism economic efforts of the Virginia Tourism Corporation by visiting vatc.org/PAM.

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Virginia Agencies to Coordinate Review of Potential Permits for Oil and Gas Drilling

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND, VA. – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that two Virginia agencies have signed an agreement on coordinating environmental reviews of potential permits for oil and gas drilling in the Coastal Plain that includes Tidewater.

The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy regulates oil and gas drilling, and the Department of Environmental Quality ensures the protection of people’s health and the environment. The agencies have committed to ensuring a transparent process that includes a thorough environmental impact review and incorporates public comment.

“This agreement recognizes the unique environmental challenges of oil and natural gas development in the Coastal Plain,” Governor McAuliffe said. “As Virginia continues to seek development of energy resources, we also are focusing on protection of our water and other resources.”

The agreement will help the agencies and the public address the distinctiveness and complexity of the Coastal Plain aquifer system, including the Potomac Aquifer, which supplies water for about half of Virginia’s population for drinking, agricultural use and industrial use.

DEQ and DMME will communicate closely on activities related to permit applications, environmental impact assessments, and involvement by local governments and the public. The agencies also will develop a process for addressing the potential cumulative environmental impacts from multiple permits for oil or gas drilling.

“This Memorandum of Agreement is a crucial step forward in our efforts to protect the Potomac Aquifer and ensure we are responsible stewards of the Northern Neck’s natural resources,” said Senator Richard Stuart.  “I am grateful for the leadership Governor McAuliffe has shown on this important issue.”

To read the entire Memorandum of Agreement visit http://1.usa.gov/1urLult.

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Governor McDonnell Announces Awarding of $200,000 for the Building Collaborative Communities Program

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Program Promotes Regional Economic Collaboration across Virginia

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced $200,000 in funding for three collaborative efforts in Virginia through the Building Collaborative Communities program. The program promotes regional economic collaboration in economically-distressed areas that stimulate job creation, economic development and provide a significant return on state investment.

“Building Collaborative Communities encourages cooperation between communities to reach common goals,” said Governor McDonnell. “Since the inception of this program, we have seen great regional partnerships created and fostered through this program, as well as the involvement from the private sector, community organizations, and various other regional organizations.”

Building Collaborative Communities is a broad-based program that brings to bear resources from a number of state entities, including the Lieutenant Governor's Office, Senior Economic Advisor, Department of Business Assistance, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Virginia Community College System, and other agencies as appropriate. The Commonwealth is providing $200,000 to support this program in FY2014.

The following projects were awarded funding through the Building Collaborative Communities program:

Applicant and Localities Targeted	Project Name	Award Offer
Northern Neck Planning District Commission (Counties of Westmoreland, Richmond, Lancaster and Northumberland and the towns of Colonial Beach, Montross, Warsaw, Kilmarnock, White Stone and Irvington)	Northern Neck Planning District Commission	$ 85,000
Roanoke Regional Partnership (Counties of Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke, the cities of Roanoke and Salem and the town of Vinton)	Roanoke Regional Partnership	$ 65,000
The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (Counties of Halifax, Pittsylvania, Henry  and Patrick and the cities of Danville and Martinsville)	The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance	$ 50,000

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Governor McDonnell Tours Oyster Shucking House Bustling with Increased Harvest Activity

Chargrilled oysters (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Over past decade Virginia’s oyster harvest increased ten-fold; Dockside value increased from $575,000 to more than $8.75 million~

Last year’s harvest largest since 1987; Preliminary estimates predict continued growth this year

Virginia is the largest East Coast producer and the nation’s third largest overall producer of marine products

WEEMS– Governor McDonnell today toured Kellum Seafood Company’s oyster harvesting, shucking and packing facility in Weems, located in the Northern Neck along the Rappahannock River, to witness first-hand the strides made by Virginia’s oyster industry and to celebrate the industry’s growth in recent years, highlighted by a 28 percent leap in last year’s harvest. Over the past decade, the oyster harvest in Virginia has increased ten-fold, from 23,000 bushels in the 2001 oyster season to 250,000 bushels in the 2011 season. In that time, the dockside value of the oyster harvest increased from $575,000 to $8.75 million in 2011. Virginia continues to be the largest East Coast producer, and the nation’s third largest overall producer, of marine products.

            “Virginia’s oyster industry has made remarkable strides, and indications are this year’s harvest may be the best we’ve seen in the past quarter-century,’’ Governor McDonnell said. “Good management has allowed us to put our excellent oysters on dinner tables around the world, to create good jobs for our citizens and to bring new revenue into our state. And we’re on pace for even more growth in the oyster industry.  As oyster companies like Kellum Seafood continue to grow, they know they’ve got a friend in Richmond. Working with the General Assembly, we’re laser focused on putting in place policies that help job-creators like Tommy Kellum continue to expand their operations, and employ more Virginians in the process.”

            The Virginia Marine Resources Commission’s preliminary harvest reports indicate the 2012-13 oyster season harvest has increased another 28 percent, to more than 320,000 bushels, with a dockside value of $11.2 million, making it the largest oyster harvest in Virginia since 1987.

            Kellum Seafood was founded three generations ago in a one-room oyster shucking house and has grown into an operation that grows, harvests, shucks, packs and ships oysters from water bottom the company leases from the state, as well as oysters caught from public oyster rocks by commercial watermen. Kellum Seafood’s plant has grown over the years to a 10,000 square foot facility complete with storage and on-site U.S. Department of Commerce inspections.

            “The oyster industry is growing and has a bright future,’’ said Tommy Kellum, current partner and vice-president of Kellum Seafood and the third generation of Kellums to manage the operation. “I’m so convinced of that that I’m expanding our operations and have recently purchased a new vessel to help accommodate the growth. Growth means jobs. The Governor and his Administration deserve a lot of credit.”

            “Good fishery management has produced excellent results that are bearing fruit in the form of larger harvests, a growing industry and more jobs,” said Doug Domenech, Secretary of Natural Resources. “This is a win for the health of the Bay, for oyster-lovers and for our hard-pressed watermen in these difficult economic times.”

            Thanks to a record $2 million appropriated in the state budget for oyster replenishment by Governor McDonnell and the Virginia General Assembly, VMRC mined fossil oyster shells this summer from the James River (augmented with available empty oyster shells from shucking houses such as Kellum Seafood) and planted roughly 1 billion individual empty oyster shells on public oyster grounds. It was enough to fill approximately 4,000 dump trucks.

            Those empty shells will become homes for naturally occurring oyster larvae that attach to them during spawning and grow to form new adult oysters that will reach market size in roughly three years. The replenishment program provides significant ecological as well as economic benefits. A single adult oyster can purge up to 50 gallons of water a day. Oyster reefs provide important forage and refuge habitat for invertebrates, as well as juvenile crabs and finfish species.

            “While some of these oyster replenishment shells went onto our oyster sanctuaries, the majority went onto our new rotational oyster harvest areas, meaning they will be untouched for several years as they grow to adulthood and spawn a new generation of oysters before they can be harvested,” said Virginia Marine Resources Commissioner Jack Travelstead. “It is important they be harvested at that point because otherwise they are susceptible to two diseases, Dermo and MSX, which kill adult oysters. We don’t want to see these oysters wasted to disease.”

            VMRC’s Dr. Jim Wesson estimates every $1 spent by the state to plant oyster shell yields $7 in economic benefits in the form of larger harvests, and increased jobs for oyster shucking, processing, packing and shipping houses.

            Over the past five years of rotational harvests, the harvest off public oyster grounds has almost quadrupled, from 36,000 bushels in the 2008 oyster season to 137,000 bushels in 2012.  If oyster replenishment funding is continued at its current level, and environmental conditions remain unchanged, Wesson estimates the harvest from public oyster grounds could grow to 200,000 bushels in 2016 and that combined with anticipated increases in oyster aquaculture production, could push Virginia’s oyster harvest to 500,000 bushels in 2016 – which, if realized, would be a 56 percent increase from the preliminary 2012 harvest level.

            “The significant gains in oyster aquaculture over the last few years have solidified the Commonwealth’s position in the global marketplace as a top producer of the highest quality oysters,’’ said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “The Governor has promoted Virginia's outstanding marine products, including our world-class oysters, on all of his domestic and international trade missions, resulting in new sales to key markets along the East Coast and to Asia and Europe. With fortified domestic marketing efforts and new Virginia agricultural trade offices now open in China and Great Britain and one to open soon in Canada, we expect more sales opportunities in the months ahead for our oyster producers and exporters.”

            The Virginia seafood industry is one of the oldest industries in the United States and one of the Commonwealth's largest. According to the Virginia Marine Products Board, the marketing arm of Virginia's seafood industry, Virginia is the nation's third largest producer of marine products, behind only Alaska and Louisiana, with total landings of almost 495 million pounds in 2011, the most recent year with full economic data. The dockside value from these landing to watermen alone was just under $192 million.

            Agriculture, under which Virginia seafood industry falls, and forestry are Virginia's largest industries, with a combined economic impact of $79 billion annually: $55 billion from agriculture and $24 billion from forestry. The industries also provide approximately 500,000 jobs in the Commonwealth according to the Weldon Cooper for Public Service at the University of Virginia.

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