Image courtesy of Carteret CatchSupporting local commercial fishermen. Promoting sustainable seafood.
Over 90% of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported from other countries around the world. This number continues to rise in order to meet consumer demand. The leading foreign suppliers of seafood products to the U.S. in 2014 were China, Canada, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Chile. It’s important for you to know the source of your seafood because not all countries measure up in terms of seafood sustainability and safety.
Carteret Catch, and their parent organization NC Catch, work hard to educate people on the benefits of eating local seafood. Always be sure to ask for NC seafood – you’ll get a high quality, great tasting product that is carefully managed under regulations that protect the marine environment and the health of consumers. In addition, you’ll support the economies and communities that help ensure our seafood supply is safe, healthy, and sustainable.
Always ask where your seafood was caught. That will let your retail market or restaurant know that supporting local economies, local communities and local heritage is important to you.
Carteret Catch
The mission of Carteret Catch is to sustain the livelihood and heritage of the Carteret County fishing industry through public marketing and education. Carteret Catch is a joint venture between the county’s commercial fishing industry and local restaurants to promote seasonal seafood caught by Carteret County fishermen. The goal is to make fishing a viable lifestyle once again and preserve a culture that characterizes the coastal region of North Carolina. The Carteret Catch brand is your guarantee that you are getting local seafood direct from Carteret County fishermen. Hungry Town Tours connects the consumer with the fishermen right at the restaurant table on their culinary tours. You will find the freshest product available at local seafood retailers and restaurants that proudly display the Carteret Catch logo. Be sure to ask, “Is it local?” carteretcatch.org
Salty Catch Seafood Market + More
Steven Goodwin and Renee Perry started Salty Catch Seafood Company eight years ago. They work hard to promote North Carolina seafood by delivering their fresh products to Triangle area restaurants several times a week. Salty Catch Seafood Company focuses on buying local seafood harvested by local fishermen. See what fresh catch is available in the display case. Make sure to shop for locally sourced products and prepared foods as well. They also offer seafood steam pots to go. Salty Catch’s customer base includes local residents, tourists, and area restaurants. They are the perfect stop for taking fresh seafood home or to your vacation rental. Special requests welcome. Salty Catch Seafood Company, 300 Wellons Drive, Beaufort, NC 28516. 252-838-9145. Follow them on Facebook.
Miss Gina‘s Fresh Shrimp
Beaufort’s famous Miss Gina‘s Fresh Shrimp is a family owned, local business working to carry on the commercial fishing lifestyle. They pride themselves on providing fresh locally caught shrimp. Started by Allen Smith 16 years ago, Allen, his son Thomas, and daughter-in-law Monica own and operate the Della John and the Cameron T. During the shrimping season, their boats shrimp daily in our local waters and they sell their catch at their roadside stand. The hours are based on shrimp availability and are not listed. When they have shrimp, they typically open at 9 am until they sell out. Shrimp prices depend on the size of the shrimp. Check their Facebook page for more information. Miss Gina‘s Fresh Shrimp, 2577 US Highway 70 East, Beaufort, NC 28516. 252-725-0363. missginasfreshshrimp.com. Use caution when pulling into and out of the driveway.
Marshallberg Farm
Located 12 miles from Beaufort, Marshallberg Farm is the largest producer of award winning Osetra Caviar & Russian Sturgeon in the U.S.A. Ranked a “Best Choice” for sustainability, they make small batch, fresh harvests of Five-Star Osetra caviar and smoked sturgeon. Their Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) is the newest way to raise fish without negatively impacting the environment. The osetra caviar produced at Marshallberg Farm comes from the Russian sturgeon. Through sustainable aquaculture, Marshallberg Farm is raising thousands of Russian sturgeon, producing environmentally responsible osetra caviar and smoked sturgeon. By producing osetra caviar through aquaculture, this renowned indulgence is available domestically. Order online. Marshallberg Farm, 811 Straits Rd, Smyrna, NC 28579. www.marshallbergfarm.com
Carolina Mariculture Co.
Owned and operated by Jay and Jennifer Styron, Carolina Mariculture Co. is a small, family-owned, North Carolina oyster farm located on Cedar Island. They raise oysters using mariculture practices: buying seed from a hatchery and raising them to market size in floating cages on their lease in Core Sound. They specialize in growing single oysters as opposed to clusters or doubles. Known as Cedar Island Selects, these oysters are uniform in size and shape with a deep cup, perfect for serving on the half shell. Due to their farming practices, these oysters can be enjoyed year-round. No more eating oysters only in months with an “R”. Did you know that is just a myth? Available year-round at Salty Catch Seafood, these oysters have been described as “the Downeast version of champagne.” Ask for them by name. Cedar Island Selects. carolinamariculture.com
Walking Fish
Founded in 2009, Walking Fish operates an award-winning community supported fishery in North Carolina. Based on the community-supported agriculture (CSA) model, a community supported fishery (CSF) is a program that connects local fishermen to local markets. The concept is simple. CSF members pre-pay for a “season” of fresh, locally caught seafood, and in return fishermen provide a weekly share of premium fish or shellfish. CSFs seek to connect communities with their food system, encourage low-impact fishing practices, and build relationships between commercial fishermen and community members. Walking Fish delivers fresh local seafood to Raleigh and Durham. Members receive a variety of seafood including flounder, shrimp, jumping mullet, triggerfish, and blue crabs. Walking Fish, P.O. Box 2357, Beaufort, NC 28516. walking-fish.org
Carolina Gold Oyster Company
Now you can enjoy fresh local oysters year-round! Owned and operated by Tyler Chadwick, Carolina Gold Oyster Company specializes in growing single oysters, rather than oysters that grow in a cluster. All the oysters are uniform in size and have a deep cup. Their oysters are raised in the waters of Wards Creek, which is a small creek off North River. North River has two major sources of fresh ocean water that feeds our oysters twice a day (at both high tides). This makes the oysters very meaty and gives them a fresh, salty and ocean taste. Carolina Gold Oysters can be served raw on the half shell, steamed, roasted, or even make oyster Rockefeller. Each way to prepare them is unique, but the true flavor is in the oyster itself. Free overnight shipping. 1467 Old Winberry Road, Newport, NC 28570, 252-723-8736. www.carolinagoldoysters.com
Hungry Town Tours
Enjoy delicious samplings with Hungry Town Tours where the main dish is fresh local seafood! On their Food by Foot Culinary Walking Tour or the Sunday Brunch Walkabout, they connect the consumer with the local fishermen right at the restaurant table. Your guide will share stories about Beaufort’s history and local restaurants on a walking tour (rain or shine). 3 to 3¼ hours. $75 per person. Minimum of four persons. Ages: 21 yrs. old & up. Younger adults can be accommodated. Private tours can be arranged for groups or families. Departure dates and times vary due to changing restaurant hours and staffing issues. They have paused their culinary tours to give their partners the opportunity to staff their restaurants. Call for availability. Hungry Town Tours is the #1 Activity on The Crystal Coast – Tripadvisor.com. Hungry Town Tours, 252-648-1011. hungrytowntours.com.
Local Seafood Resources
We are pleased to provide you with several resources to help you learn more about the importance of purchasing North Carolina seafood and the benefits of eating fresh local seafood, either at home or in a restaurant. Bon Appétit!
North Carolina Sea Grant
North Carolina Sea Grant specialists roam the state to help citizen, government, and industry partners find new solutions to ensure the health of our coastal communities and ecosystems. They also produce a suite of educational and instructional brochures, posters, DVDs and more on coastal science and recreation. The organization is best known for their award-winning Coastwatch magazine, with gorgeous photography and intriguing stories to draw you closer to research and happenings along the NC coast. To learn more about Coastwatch magazine and/or to read select articles, go to nccoastwatch.org.
Providing research, education and outreach opportunities relating to current issues affecting the North Carolina coast and its communities, North Carolina Sea Grant distributes seasonal seafood availability guides. ncseagrant.org
North Carolina Seafood Availability Guides
Click on the seasonal cards below to download the North Carolina Seafood Availability Guides (PDF file): SPRING, SUMMER, AUTUMN, and WINTER. It’s your best guide to purchase fresh, locally caught North Carolina seafood for the season of your choice.
The North Carolina Seafood Availability Cards are provided with permission by North Carolina Sea Grant.
NC Catch
Established in 2011, NC Catch, in partnership with the state’s local Catch groups, strengthens the North Carolina seafood economy through promotion and education. One of organization’s highest priorities is to support existing local seafood branding programs in Dare, Hyde, Carteret and Brunswick counties by creating an “invisible umbrella” to bolster collaboration, resources (human and financial) and long-term success. CATCH programs (Outer Banks Catch, Ocracoke Fresh, Carteret Catch and Brunswick Catch) are local initiatives to educate the public on how “buying local” seafood benefits consumers with a high-quality, healthful product while supporting local economies, local coastal villages, and local culture.
When traveling outside Carteret County, please support the other CATCH organizations. NC Catch, 919-818-0122. nccatch.org.
A Consumer’s Guide to Selecting North Carolina Seafood
