Category Archives: Lynnhaven

We’re thrilled to be a Partner in Chesapeake 10 Billion Oysters Partnership!

Posted on by under Enjoy, Lynnhaven, Press

The Chesapeake 10 Billion Oysters Partnership is a multi-year effort designed to spark governmental action, public attention, and funding to accelerate ongoing oyster restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay. The ambitious goal of this collaborative effort is to add 10 billion new oysters by 2025 in Virginia and Maryland waters.

Learn more about 10 Billion Oysters Partnership.

WHAT ARE THE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE CHESAPEAKE 10 BILLION OYSTERS PARTNERSHIP?

    Restoring Oysters in Sanctuaries
    Improving Science-Based Fishery Management
    Increasing Oyster Aquaculture

Coverage including video at WTKR.com.

The project is starting up in Maryland and stretches 200 miles down the coastline, affecting our waterways in Virginia Beach.

Chris Ludford, owner of Pleasure House Oysters, showed us his oyster farming operation.

Coverage at Pilotonline.com.

Other Virginia partners in the new effort are Chessie Seafood, the Elizabeth River Project, Pleasure House Oysters and Virginia Wesleyan University.

National partners include Restore America’s Estuaries, Building Conservation Trust and the National Aquarium. Among the scientific advisers are the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Mary Reid Barrow shares our coyote swimming video. Thank you!

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Photographs, Press

Check out her article at Pilotonline.com.

No wonder coyotes are getting around the area so easily!

Our coyote videos made the news !

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Photographs, Press

WAVY TV 10 coverage here.

We ❤ our Lynnhaven River!

Why we work so hard to help keep our beloved river clean by raising oysters. You never know what you might experience on the water.

A minute after he disappeared into the woods a mature bald eagle flew by. Love this place!

Join us on a Tour sometime.

“There is really nothing like being able to taste the area in an oyster!”

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Press, Tasting

AltDaily.com Highly Recommended: Shiptown on North Colley November 29th 2016

Our first course was a sampler of oysters on the half shell. We were provided with a taste of each of the four varieties they offered, with the Pleasure House oysters being my favorite.

shiptown-oysters

The décor was clean and simple; steel oyster bushels hung from the ceiling and the vintage photographs on the wall were all collected from local oyster farms. The lighting was dim and romantic, and despite every seat being full it was not too loud.

The menu comprises of dishes created with ingredients obtained by local oysterman, fisherman…

Thank you for the kind words!

We’re very happy to be part of Shiptown.

Behind the beach life: the perfect metaphor for eating oysters

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Press, Tasting

Something that imprints on your memory

Everyone is cherishing the moment.

We love working with the Visit Virginia Beach team showing off how great our Lynnhaven River is!

View the video and another photo at The Daily Life, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau’s official Blog.

Sad day for Virginians and specifically the locals in and around Virginia Beach. We have been struggling with how and when to post this event.

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Press

View this post on Instagram

Sad day for Virginians and specifically the locals in and around Virginia Beach. We have been struggling with how and when to post this event. Our goal with Instagram has been to inform and entertain not on a political level but recent events have forced our hand. A small, wealthy and powerful group of waterfront residents are trying to push oyster aquaculture out of the Lynnhaven River. Yes we have pointed out the great things oysters do to enhance habitat, clean water and attract fish. They simply do not care. Here I am being given a written warning for my oyster gear being "out of compliance". The gear we use was designed and approved by the state. In fact much of it was given to us in the form of a grant. What the latest "warnings" amounts to is harassment at the behest of the homeowners. The MPO serving me was following orders & we have no ill will towards him or them. You the public own the waterways and the bottom under the water. In the coming weeks we will need your help. For now feel free to call Commissioner John Bull at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State Reps Bill Desteph and Jason Miyares to voice your support for local food, farmers and speak about your ownership of the waters. #LynnhavenRiver #oysters #aquaculture #seafood #FarmToTable #SeaToTable #FamilyFarm #OysterLove #RiverLove #CommercialFishing #SupportItOrImportIt #OysterLife #FarmLife #BuyFreshBuyLocalHR #FreshFood #VBBaylife #VisitVaBeach #VaOysterTrail #LoveLE #MarinePatrolJustFollowingOrders

A post shared by On Twitter: @LynnhavenOyster (@pleasurehouseoysters) on

Three Comments we’ve received in support from Aquaculture lovers who understand the importance of a vibrant, vital Aquaculture business in the Commonwealth’s waters.

You’re so very welcome! Happy to educate and assist where I can. Education is the key. I hate seeing you go through this. You’ve done so much and worked so many events to help educate residents on the importance of aquaculture and bringing the oysters back to the Lynnhaven River.

If there is anything I can do to advocate and help you with the good you are doing for the Lynnhaven River and your aquaculture operation please let me know.

No homeowner “owns” the water! It’s there for all of us to enjoy. One would think that a clean waterway would benefit those homeowners and their property values.

If you follow us on Instagram, you already know this is by far the most viewed and Commented Instagram we’ve ever had.

After this Instagram post we were contacted, so far, by local media.

Click to view WTKR coverage

Click to view WTKR coverage

View WAVY’s coverage.

Attend the Workgroup mentioned in the news coverage.

    The Lynnhaven River Oyster Work Group will meet on:

    July 29, 2016 at the Virginia Beach Tidewater Community College campus in the Student Center, Room K-304, from 9 AM until approximately 2:00 PM.

    The Student Center is located at the campus at 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. Parking for this meeting will be available behind the Virginia Beach Building (G).

    Get directions at Google Maps here.

We hope you can attend.

Oyster farmers, their families and workers throughout the Lynnhaven and the Commonwealth have been receiving support by phone call, email, social media and in face to face encounters.

It means a lot to us and we appreciate your continued support.

We will share more news about this serious threat to Lynnhaven’s Aquaculture business and how you can help.

We rescued an entangled Osprey on the river this morning. Video.

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Photographs, Video

We thought there was something wrong from yards away as Osprey very, very rarely sit on a dock.

Captain Ludford on Osprey rescue

Captain Ludford on Osprey rescue

Check video at Periscope TV to see our rescue. We love our river!

Join us sometime.
You never know what you’ll experience!

Start here to learn more about our tours.

“Or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, head to Pleasure House Oysters on the Lynnhaven for the Chef’s Table Tour.”

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Photographs, Press, Tasting

5 Reasons to Hit Virginia’s New Oyster Trail This Spring Daily Shot Garden & Gun Blog February 2016.

We’re honored to be mentioned again in Garden & Gun.

You’ll pull on waders and head out onto the river with Captain Chris Ludford for a catered meal at a pop-up table in the shallows with oysters plucked from the water beneath you. It’s BYOB, though; so don’t forget to pack the wine.

Photo credit: Bret & Mary from Green Global Travel

Photo credit: Bret & Mary from Green Global Travel

Please join us on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 for a special screening of Ocean Frontiers II at Old Dominion University, followed by a Q & A with a panel of local experts.

Posted on by under Lynnhaven

In a region steeped in old maritime tradition, the film tells the story of a modern wave of big ships, offshore wind energy and a changing climate, and how people are coming together to plan for a healthy ocean off their coast.

We will be part of the panel after the movie and would love to see you there.

We will be part of the panel after the movie and would love to see you there.

The concern is mainly centered on our local ocean waters but the Chesapeake Bay will no doubt factor into the discussion. Come see and hear about where we are as a region in regards to planning for these changes to our coastal living future.

RSVP: “Ocean Frontiers II” Film & Panel Discussion at Old Dominion University – Tues. Feb 23, 2016

Start here to RSVP. Hope to see you there!

Ocean Frontiers II Film Screening and Panel Discussion
When: Tuesday, February 23, 2016; 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Old Dominion University Theater, 4608 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23529. FREE parking across the street in Garage D.
Free admission, snacks and refreshments
RSVP here to save your seat.

Come learn about the draft Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Plan – being released for public review this spring – and how we can help sustain the ocean environment, marine livelihoods and coastal cultures in our increasingly busy Virginia waters.

An interactive panel discussion takes place after the film, with:
Laura McKay – Program Manager, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program; Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body Member
Joe Atangan – Physical Scientist, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Navy; Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body Member
Capt. Chris Ludford – Owner, Pleasure House Oysters
Matt Gove – Mid-Atlantic Policy Manager, Surfrider Foundation
Moderator: Gwen Lockhart – GIS Research Specialist, VA Aquarium and Marine Science Center

This event is hosted by Old Dominion University (ODU), Virginia Sea Grant, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, VA Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Surfrider Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Oceana, Virginia Chapter Sierra Club, VA Sun, Mitigation & Adaptation Research Institute, ODU Marine Biology Student Association, ODU Earth and Ocean Sciences Club, ODU Student National Environmental Health Association, Mid-Atlantic Regional Transition Hub, and Green Fire Productions.

More details here.

“My mission is to produce an oyster in a safe and healthy manner that promotes the reputation of this river.”

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Photographs

The Virginian-Pilot On the Lynnhaven River, oyster population sees a comeback – and conflict December 12th 2015:

If allowed to do what he proposes, he says, he’d accelerate the river’s remarkable improvement. He’d also contribute to a seafood industry that, he points out, state officials have worked hard to invigorate. Last month, Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced the opening of a Virginia Oyster Trail in hopes of drawing tourists eager to eat their way through the tidal region.

To many of those whose multimillion-dollar homes would look out over Ludford’s new grounds, however, the oyster leases would mark . . .

Oysterman Chris Ludford pulls oyster cages into shallow water . . . Photo Credit: The' N. Pham | The Virginian-Pilot

Oysterman Chris Ludford pulls oyster cages into shallow water . . . Photo Credit: The’ N. Pham | The Virginian-Pilot

We sincerely hope you read this entire article and join the discussion at Pilotonline.com.
Start here to read On the Lynnhaven River, oyster population sees a comeback – and conflict