April 9, 2020 — With many seafood restaurants in eastern Carolina limited in operations, or closed, commercial fishermen are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic right in their pockets.
And while local seafood shops like B&J Seafood in New Bern are still in business, the concern for the future is being felt in the present.
“Right now our biggest concern in the seafood business is continuing to maintain good markets, so that the guys have confidence that they can go fish, and when they get in they can sell their product,” explains Brent Fulcher, the owner of B&J’s.
But maintaining those markets has been a challenge.
Fulcher estimates 50% of their harvests are ultimately sold to restaurant owners.
But many of those owners have been forced to adjust operations, or close all together.
“Some restaurants are able to operate takeout only, but seafood isn’t typically a takeout type ‘venue,’ so a lot of seafood restaurants aren’t able to accommodate that,” Fulcher adds.
One restaurant owner that hasn’t been able to accommodate, is Captain Ratty’s owner Tom Ballance.