Watermen's groups consider merging to curb pollution, deal with agencies

YORKTOWN

Virginia's watermen are hoping a united front may help curb pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

Representatives of Virginia's various watermen's associations will meet Thursday to consider merging into a single organization. Members of about a dozen groups work on the bay and its Virginia tributaries.

They hope forming one group will better coordinate their efforts to fight pollution and their dealings with state and federal agencies.

In a news release, the Virginia Waterman's Association said the lack of "any real progress" by government in cleaning up the bay, as well as the Virginia Marine Resources Commission's insistence that it is the watermen's fault, prompted them to act.