Harvesting Chesapeake Heritage: Blough's Seafood

Glenn Blough is the seasoned waterman behind Blough’s Seafood, located just off Route 328 in Denton. He’s been working on the water for over thirty years. While he enjoys “being out there, seeing the sunrise, and getting to see stuff nobody else sees,” he says that the life of a Chesapeake Bay waterman isn’t for those looking to make a quick buck. “It’s something you have to like doing…it ain’t about the money.” 

He sees Blough’s Seafood as a real down-home mom-and-pop business. If their employees aren’t family, they’re locals. Blough’s offers Eastern Shore delicacies like crabs, shrimp, fish, and, according to Blough, “the best oysters that there is.” 

Jay Fleming, a professional photographer of all things Chesapeake Bay, was invited to one of Blough’s chilly early-morning oyster harvests to capture the process of supplying fresh, locally sourced oysters to the Shore. Blough said the original idea behind the shoot was to promote their business. But the result was a collection of photos and even an action-packed video of Blough and his oystering partner, Rachel Fazenbaker, that showcase more homegrown passion and dedication than could be put into words. In a world full of fading traditions, Blough hopes to keep this piece of Chesapeake Bay heritage alive and well for years to come. 

You can see more of Jay Fleming’s work here: https://www.jayflemingphotography.com/