Governor Spanberger Awards Grant to Wanchese Fish Company to Support Virginia Seafood Industry

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced that Wanchese Fish Company, Inc. - a family-owned seafood manufacturer - will receive $248,000 through the Governor's Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program to expand production capabilities at its Suffolk facility. The grant will support Virginia's seafood industry as the company invests in advanced automation equipment to increase production capacity of retail-packed blue catfish products.

Wanchese Fish Company purchased approximately one million pounds of blue catfish in 2025 from local fishermen. With increased processing capacity, purchasing volumes are projected to grow to around five million pounds annually over the next five years. The company expects the increased volume to create 10 to 15 additional jobs between its Newport News and Suffolk facilities.

"With a total economic impact of more than $1 billion annually, Virginia's seafood industry is a major driver of local economic growth. In addition to the investment in the Commonwealth's seafood industry and overall economy, today's announcement serves as another step forward in protecting the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia's waterways from the invasive Blue Catfish," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "Congratulations to Wanchese Fish Company on receiving this grant and increasing the capacity for blue catfish processing in Suffolk and expanding market opportunities for Virginia's watermen."

"Blue catfish continue to be a threat to the Chesapeake Bay and the state's waterways as it consumes a variety of prey, including valuable and ecologically significant species," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. "I am pleased that we could support Wanchese Fish Company's expansion and bolster the state's seafood industry by turning invasive blue catfish into a commercially viable, nutritious product."

The Wanchese Fish Company corporate office and facility in Suffolk is part of Cooke Seafood USA, Inc. - a family-owned, vertically integrated aquaculture and wild fishery corporation that ships fresh, sustainable seafood products worldwide.

"Thank you Governor Spanberger and the Commonwealth of Virginia for this grant and investment in the state's seafood industry. We look forward to enhancing our processing infrastructure for wild-caught blue catfish sourced from Virginia's Chesapeake Bay watershed," said Warren Giesbrecht, Managing Director of Wanchese Fish Company. "This investment will enable Wanchese to support more local watermen, meet a growing demand from key customers, and help address the environmental challenges posed by invasive blue catfish."

The Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant program was established to address the overpopulation of the invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay. The program awards reimbursable grants of up to $250,000 to support infrastructure development projects that directly support local food production, enhance environmental sustainability, and demonstrate a broad community benefit.

"Wanchese Fish Company has established a proven history of reliability, innovation, and partnership within our community. Their ongoing investment in upgrading infrastructure and helping to remove an invasive species shows a strong commitment to both the Commonwealth and the city of Suffolk," said Mayor Mike Duman.

"I congratulate Wanchese Fish Company on their processing expansion, commitment to environmental stewardship, and investment in the Suffolk community and Virginia's seafood industry," said Delegate Karen Carnegie.

"Wanchese Fish Company is a valued member of Suffolk's business community and a long-standing contributor to the area's growing food processing sector. These improvements are crucial for expanding capacity, enhancing operational efficiency, removing an invasive species, and strengthening the region's blue catfish processing capabilities," said Senator Emily Jordan.

The next funding round for the Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program is expected to open in the fall of 2026. Click here for additional information on this grant opportunity.

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