General Assembly candidates were aboard the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s “Jenny S” on Friday as it glided along the Warwick and James rivers.

“Hopefully we can impact the people that make the decisions,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation intern Emily Brooks.

On board, members of the foundation discussed the wildlife within the water and the pollutant issues revolving around the Chesapeake Bay.

The foundation frequently hosts this type of trip to better inform candidates on the issues regarding the quality of the Chesapeake Bay. The candidates on Friday’s boat trip hope to represent districts covering areas of Poquoson, Williamsburg, Newport News, York County, James City County and others.

Candidates Don Phillips, Chad Green, Pricilla Burnett, Lara Overy and others all boarded the boat for a three-hour boating excursion. Many of the candidates already had an interest in the waterways, as well as knowledge of the issues regarding it.

“There are a lot of other industries that are affected,” said Lara Overy, candidate for the 93rd District in the House of Delegates. Her dad had a boat when she was growing up, and they took it out to go water skiing and fishing, Overy said. The quality of the water affects businesses, recreation, tourism and the economy, she said.

“It’s a natural resource that we have to protect.”

“It’s important they’re out here because it shows they are interested,” said Shree Green, Native American and environmental activist. Coming out and learning, even just a little, helps better prepare them for future decisions that need to be made, she said.

Some of the activities included pulling up oysters, crabs and fish. The group observed the oysters as Tanner Council, Hampton Roads grassroots coordinator for the foundation, explained oysters can only move for the first few weeks of their lives before they settle in.

There are many kinds of pollutants that affect the cleanliness of the Chesapeake Bay, including nitrogen and phosphorus.

After pulling up a fish net, the group enjoyed holding and taking pictures with the interesting specimens. The guests got the chance to observe a northern sea robin, numerous white shrimp, silver perch, sand perch, blue crabs, a bay anchovy, a lizard fish, a shad, a flounder, and a gray trout.