North Tidewater News

Amory Seafood, a long-standing company based in Hampton, has been awarded a state grant amounting to $247,000. This funding is aimed at enhancing the company's processing capacity and enabling it to purchase more blue catfish from local watermen, thereby contributing to local economic growth.

Governor Glenn Youngkin's office announced that Amory Seafood received this reimbursable grant through the Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program. The initiative supports the state's fishery industry while addressing the issue of invasive species in Virginia's waters.

"On behalf of everyone at Amory Seafood, I thank Governor Youngkin, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the city of Hampton for this grant funding," stated CEO Meade Amory. "Once complete, this expansion will enhance our processing capacity and improve quality and marketability of our products. We will also be in a better position to support local watermen and reduce the number of invasive blue catfish which helps to protect native Chesapeake Bay species."

The company has been family-operated for four generations and distributes seafood across the East Coast and other U.S. regions. The new funding will allow Amory Seafood to install a modern quick freezer and essential packing equipment at its Hampton facility.

"The city of Hampton commends Amory Seafood as it begins this expansion and as it promises substantial economic benefits for Hampton and the surrounding Chesapeake Bay region," said Mayor Donnie Tuck. "This project builds on Hampton’s longstanding seafood heritage, creates new full-time jobs, injects an estimated $1.5 million annually directly into the local fishing community, and increases business for logistics and transportation services."

For over ten years, Amory Seafood has been processing wild-caught blue catfish with around 20 local watermen. The blue catfish is an unwanted invasive species; however, harvesting them provides a sustainable revenue source for commercial watermen.

Governor Youngkin remarked: "I congratulate Amory Seafood on this expansion as this project helps to increase processing capacity of the invasive blue catfish, provide additional market opportunities for Virginia watermen, and boost the Commonwealth’s seafood industry’s economic impact which was over $1.1 billion in 2019."

The Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Fund was established during the 2023 General Assembly session to tackle overpopulation issues in Chesapeake Bay by encouraging harvests of these abundant fish.

State Senator Mamie Locke commented: "Amory Seafood has been in the Hampton community for over 100 years. It is pleasing to see a local business expand to new market opportunities, provide economic stimulus to the surrounding community and industry, and provide positive environmental impacts."

Delegate Jeion Ward added: "I congratulate Amory Seafood on this expansion and investment in the Hampton community."