An informational, discussion-oriented meeting between members of the York River Maritime Sanctuary Proposal Committee and local watermen convened at Buck Rowe’s Store in Bena last Thursday, with more than a dozen in attendance from state agencies, historical and heritage groups, and of course the commercial fishing industry.

The meeting was intended to “alleviate any potential objections from the watermen,” according to Guinea Heritage Association and Watermen’s Museum member Hamilton Williams.

The proposal in question, if submitted to and adopted by Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the office of Gov. Ralph Northam, and subsequently the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, would create a maritime sanctuary in the York River where British shipwrecks from the Battle of Yorktown currently rest.

“We had a very productive and congenial meeting,” Williams said. “Every question posed by either the watermen or the proposal committee...