Exhibit A: A recent NYT’s article called “Why Is It So Hard To Find Local Fish?” This article is likely behind a paywall, so let me distill the entire article for you into a few short points.
Not enough people know that Cape Ann Fresh Catch solves a huge problem in our food supply.
John Lewis
September 18, 2024
Point #1 is a soundbite from the NYT’s that you should care deeply about, and I made reference to it in our last post. That is…
“Some 65 to 80 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported…sending seafood overseas shifts a significant portion of profits away from fishing communities that desperately need it.”
This is very personal to us.
As a company, we totally get that 21st century life is defined by convenience. We get that planning ahead and ordering fish from us requires you to consciously consider adding a layer of logistics to how you eat (whether you use home delivery or not, we ask for some type of commitment). This is a huge ask from us, but it somehow works and we are celebrating over 15 years of serving the greater Boston community.
But c’mon people, buy your protein from a local provider wherever you can. Here’s why.
Point #2. This image is of a factory trawler that I screenshot from the film Fish & Men. It requires no explanation. What you see here is a floating fish factory operated by a huge crew, funded by large fishing operations sometimes fishing in protected waters. They are out for so many days they have to freeze the fish on the boat. Not only is it not fresh when you buy it, it may have been frozen for weeks.
That tiny Gloucester boat, as you may have guessed, is a dayboat and can be operated by one fisherman. These boats are family owned and historically have been helmed over multi-generations. Two of the three owners of Cape Ann Fresh Catch are the 5th and 6th generation of Gloucester fishing families – a mother daughter team with deep connections in the local fishing community.
Point #3. Sustainability means non species catching.
That’s right – when our guys go out to catch fish, we buy whatever they catch so they don’t deplete specific species and “catch what they catch.”
On top of that, we are the middleman delivering the fish to you, so the fisherman gets a much better price per pound. Sometimes it can be up to 20% more.
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So, as your small boat, community based business, you get the local good stuff directly from us. And if you are reading this blog from a town far away, fear not. Use the Local Catch Network seafood finder to find a CSF or local, direct to consumer provider near you.
So, that’s our ask.
Be a conscious consumer and “get your fish from this guy.”
