Virginia Seafood

08/29/2026

Feeling crabby because summer is almost over? The fun doesn’t have to stop. Celebrate with these seafood festivals around Hampton Roads.

08/29/2026

Some messages age pretty well. 🦪🐟🦀

Virginia seafood, then and now.

😎

08/26/2026

Some crews have a captain, a mate… and one very important set of paws. 🐾🌊

Happy National Dog Day to the boat dogs who keep watch, supervise the catch, and make a long day on the water a little better.

08/25/2026

Every now and then, an oyster holds a little surprise. ✨🦪

Yes — Virginia oysters can form pearls.

It happens when a tiny bit of material becomes trapped inside the oyster and, over time, the oyster coats it with layers of shell material. The result can be a small pearl like the ones in these photos.

They’re uncommon, which makes finding one pretty special.

But the pearl is only part of the story.

Behind every Virginia oyster is a grower tending the water, a farm shaped by its place, and a working waterfront that connects our coastal communities to the seafood on our tables.

A pearl is a rare surprise. Virginia oysters are the treasure.

08/24/2026

🦪 Oysters, aquaculture and a working waterfront — all in one place.

On Gwynn’s Island, The Hatchery brings several parts of Virginia’s seafood story together, with a working oyster seed facility, local growers and Virginia oysters served right along the waterfront.

It’s a great example of how aquaculture, seafood businesses and coastal communities are connected. 🌊

Learn more:
https://www.thehatcheryculture.com/

Read the Rivah Visitor’s Guide feature:
https://www.rivahguide.com/the-hatchery-simplicity-elevates-the-oyster/

08/22/2026

Some summer nights just feel like Virginia. 🌅🦪

Fresh oysters. Local growers. Live music. Flowers tucked into oyster cans. Friends gathered by the water. And maybe even a little oyster treasure along the way.

Nights like this are a pretty great reminder that Virginia seafood is about more than what ends up on the plate — it’s the people, places and communities connected by the water.

We’ll take our summer nights with a dozen Virginia oysters, please. 😉

08/20/2026

🔥 Where are our grill masters at?

If you’ve never put a Spanish mackerel steak or fillet on the grill, this is your sign.

You might be surprised by just how easy it is. Spanish mackerel is firm enough to hold up beautifully on the grill, cooks in just a few minutes, and has plenty of flavor all on its own.

And right now, these late-summer fish are being landed by Virginia’s oceanfront gillnet boats. 🌊

For this one, we’re keeping it simple with a mustardy topping of Dijon, mayo, parsley, scallion or shallot, lemon juice and black pepper. Brush it on, hit the grill, and dinner is done.

💪 A great source of protein
🐟 Rich in omega-3s
🔥 Fast enough for a weeknight, good enough for the weekend grill

Virginia Spanish mackerel + late-summer grilling = a combination worth trying.

08/18/2026

Late summer has a pretty great seafood menu. 🌊

August and September bring an incredible mix from Virginia’s Bay, rivers, and Atlantic waters — from blue crab, oysters, clams, and blue catfish to Spanish mackerel, sea scallops, black sea bass, and more.

Seafood has seasons, too. And this is a good one.

Curious what’s available throughout the year? Explore our Virginia Seafood Seasonality Chart:
https://www.virginiaseafood.org/buying-preparing-seafood/seasonality-chart/

08/16/2026

We are so excited to see this coming to the Newport News waterfront! 🦪🦀🐟

A active working waterfront and a place where the community can buy fresh seafood close to home is exactly the kind of connection we love to see — bringing people closer to the water, the working waterfront, and the seafood that makes Virginia special.

We can’t wait to watch this development come to life! 🌊⚓️

Plans for the Newport News Seafood Market are giving us a first look at what could become one of the city’s newest places to eat, gather, shop local, and enjoy the waterfront. This image was produced courtesy of Work Program Architects.

Located at the Seafood Industrial Park, the market is planned to include:
🦐 Fresh local seafood + a large seafood counter
🍽️ Raw bar + prepared food vendors
🍹 A beverage bar
🛍️ Vendor stalls supporting local entrepreneurs
🌿 Outdoor plazas + gathering spaces
🎶 Space for live performances, events & pop-up markets
🌊 A boardwalk connection to the working waterfront
⛵ Public boat access planned alongside waterfront improvements

And the design itself pays homage to Newport News’ maritime and industrial history while creating a new community gathering place for the East End.

The vision goes beyond a seafood market. It’s designed to become a place where locals and visitors can eat, gather and experience the Newport News waterfront. ⚓️

💬 Could you see this becoming a new 757 waterfront hangout?

08/15/2026

A long way from shore, but right on time for sunset. 🌅🌊