October 27, 2025 — The following was released by UFCW Local 400:
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 Union has released a new video highlighting the voices of its members who work as commercial fishermen in the Atlantic menhaden fishery. The video showcases the pride, tradition, and hard work of union members whose livelihoods depend on a fishery that has operated from Virginia’s Northern Neck for well over a century.
In the video, crew members describe the menhaden fleet as a family, one bound by generations of work on the water. Many fishermen are second-, third-, or even fourth-generation employees, carrying on a legacy of providing for their families and their community. They emphasize the importance of safety, solidarity, and teamwork in sustaining both their jobs and the Bay ecosystem.
The video highlights how the menhaden fleet, operated by Ocean Harvesters, an American-owned company, provides hundreds of family-supporting union jobs in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Ocean Harvesters’ crews are overwhelmingly local and members of UFCW Local 400 Union. The company’s operations are deeply tied to the region’s economy, employing one of the largest minority workforces in Northumberland County.
The fishermen also speak about misconceptions surrounding their industry. They describe their roots in the community and their commitment to doing the job the right way. “We love to fish, and we’re not destroying anything.” says one. Another adds, “Some people, you’re not going to get it through their head that we are not out there to destroy what keeps us going.” They urge viewers to look at the facts: “Just don’t take people’s word for it. Go do your research.”
The video also shows the challenges crews face when people suggest they should fish only in the ocean instead of the Chesapeake Bay. Fishermen explain that rough seas and weather conditions often make ocean trips unsafe or impossible, and that they rely on access to the Chesapeake Bay to make a day’s work. The footage underscores why safe, workable Bay conditions are essential for keeping crews employed and families supported.
“Our number one rule is safety first.” one crew member says. Another adds, “On the ocean, you got to be so careful that nobody gets hit, nobody gets whined through there.” A third explains the risk they manage with heavy gear: “The line takes on a lot of tension. It gets to the point where it may snap. You don’t want to be in the way of that line like that.”
Beyond safety, crew members describe the fishery’s impact on their families and the wider community, from paying for healthcare and college to supporting local businesses. “It’s a job. They’re out there trying to make a living. They’re not on these boats just to go out there and play,” one worker explains. Another sums up the local stakes: “This is a vital asset in this community, this company is.”
These firsthand accounts show the real people behind the fishery – skilled, safety-conscious union workers who depend on teamwork, seamanship, and responsible operations to do their jobs. The video captures the pride and resilience of a workforce that has kept the menhaden fishery thriving for generations, a living example of the American labor tradition and stewardship on the Chesapeake Bay.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/zb3JjL_-RPI