{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://kiggans.house.gov/2026/09/25/kiggans-wittman-call-on-usda-to-provide-federal-assistance-for-virginia-oyster-growers-in-light-of-recent-algal-bloom/", "Kiggans, Wittman Call on USDA to Provide Federal Assistance for Virginia Oyster Growers in Light of Recent Algal Bloom", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Jennifer A. Kiggans", "K000399", "kiggans.house.gov", "kiggans", "https://kiggans.house.gov/feed/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins regarding significant oyster mortality in the Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Virginia. The losses have coincided with recent algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels affecting oyster populations throughout the region. Reports from growers in Coastal Virginia have signaled significant mortality, leading to the loss of not only market-sized and grow-out oysters, but seed oysters as well. These are detrimental losses to this year\u2019s harvest and could impact next year\u2019s harvest if action isn\u2019t taken.\n\nThe letter requests that the Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) assess the losses suffered by the Commonwealth\u2019s commercial oyster growers and determine whether the impact of these blooms qualify for Secretarial natural disaster designation.\n\nCongresswoman Kiggans said, \u201cOur hardworking oyster producers and harvesters are critical to the Commonwealth\u2019s economy. As the representative of a coastal district and member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I have a responsibility to ensure our producers have the resources they need when unforeseen circumstances threaten their livelihoods. These conditions could potentially impact harvests for years to come, which is why I\u2019m urging the USDA to assess whether the damage qualifies for federal assistance and help Virginia\u2019s oyster growers recover.\u201d\n\nIf USDA issues a Secretarial natural disaster designation, eligible oyster producers in designated primary and contiguous counties may apply for FSA Emergency Farm Loans to help recover from qualifying disaster-related losses. FSA evaluates each application individually based on the producer\u2019s losses, available security, repayment ability, and other eligibility requirements.\n\nHere is our draft quote: \u201cVirginia\u2019s oyster growers are facing significant losses that could impact harvests and livelihoods for years to come,\u201d said Rep. Wittman. \u201cRep. Kiggans and I are urging the USDA to act quickly to assess these losses and ensure affected growers have access to disaster assistance. Our watermen and aquaculture producers are vital to Virginia\u2019s coastal economy, and I will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to recover.\u201d\n\nRead their letter here.\n\nIf you\u2019re an oyster producer experiencing serious production loss due to the algal bloom, the Office of Congresswoman Jen Kiggans encourages you to reach out to the Accomack County FSA Office at 757-787-0918.\n\nBackground:\n\nVirginia is a national leader in shellfish aquaculture, ranking first nationally in production of hard clams and Eastern oysters, according to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Virginia shellfish aquaculture generated approximately $81 million in direct farm sales in 2024, up 52% from 2018.\n\nOn September 22, 2026, VIMS researchers reported that the recent harmful algal bloom expanded from the mainstem Chesapeake Bay into waters along Virginia\u2019s Eastern Shore, with bloom activity documented in Nassawadox, Hungars, and Cherrystone creeks. Researchers continue to monitor the bloom, associated low dissolved oxygen conditions, and impacts on shellfish and other marine life.\n\nIn their letter, Reps. Kiggans and Wittman ask USDA to work with VIMS, Virginia Tech, state and federal agencies, and other scientific partners to determine the scope and cause of the mortality and identify affected counties that may qualify for disaster designation and assistance.\n\nHarmful algal blooms are a recurring issue in the Chesapeake Bay. VIMS first conclusively identified Alexandrium monilatum in the Bay in 2007, and blooms have occurred nearly annually since, typically during the late summer months. The species produces goniodomin A, a toxin associated with harmful effects on oysters, oyster larvae, fish, and other marine life.\n\nPrevious blooms have raised similar concerns within Virginia\u2019s shellfish industry. In 2015, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and VIMS documented an unusually extensive Alexandrium bloom across the lower Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads, accompanied by reports of oyster, fish, and crab mortality, although researchers did not establish a direct causal relationship at the time.", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://kiggans.house.gov/2026/09/25/kiggans-wittman-call-on-usda-to-provide-federal-assistance-for-virginia-oyster-growers-in-light-of-recent-algal-bloom/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 4.33505279943347, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}