The fish processing industry in North Carolina consists of a myriad of companies that specialize in processing fish and other seafood products. Not only do these companies focus on harvesting the fish, they also play a pivotal role in packaging and distribution of these delicacies to various markets across the nation. From largescale suppliers like Nitta Gelatin NA Inc., offering collagen peptides from freshwater fish, to niche providers like Sunburst Trout Farms and Carolina Classics Catfish, Inc., these companies ensure high-quality, often sustainably sourced seafood products. The industry displays an exciting blend of heritage and innovation, encompassed by an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability.


Top 20 fish processing companies in North Carolina

1. Nitta Gelatin NA Inc.

Nitta Gelatin North America is a trusted global supplier that offers clinically tested freshwater fish collagen peptide ingredients certified to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council standards. They provide high-quality gelatin and collagen products for the food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical markets.


2. Carolina Classics Catfish, Inc.

  • Website: cccatfish.com
  • Headquarters: Ayden, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1985
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Carolina Classics Catfish is the premium producer of naturally-raised catfish in North America. They offer fresh, gourmet catfish fillets delivered directly to customers, sourced from native American fish farmed with simple and natural methods that are safe and healthy.


3. Sunburst Trout Farms

Sunburst Trout Farms is a family-owned and operated company that has been producing high-quality trout for over 70 years. They focus on maintaining an innovative and modern trout production while providing a personal touch. Their offerings include hormone-free and sustainably raised trout, available for purchase online and at their Sunburst Market. They also offer tours and have a presence at local farmers markets.


4. Quality Seafood

  • Website: qualityseafoodco.com
  • Headquarters: Elizabeth City, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 51-200

Quality Seafood Co. is a seafood wholesaler that guarantees sustainable marine and estuarine fisheries. They offer fresh, pasteurized, and frozen crab meat products, as well as premium quality oysters and blue crab products.


5. Fulcher's Seafood

  • Website: fulchers.com
  • Headquarters: Oriental, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Fulcher's Seafood, gourmet processing seafood services in Inner Banks, North Carolina. Fully-integrated services, including seafood harvesting and packaging.


6. SeafoodS.com, Inc.

  • Website: seafoods.com
  • Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1999
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Seafoods.com is a solutions-based company that specializes in providing fresh seafood and premium proteins to customers. They have a wide variety of offerings sourced from fisheries, importers, and boutique artisans nationwide. With over 30 partnerships, they ensure the freshest fish, meat, foraged items, and caviar for their customers. They offer next day delivery of custom orders directly to customers' doors.


7. Atlantic Fish Company

  • Website: atlanticfish.co
  • Headquarters: Rtp, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Latest funding type: Pre Seed
  • LinkedIn

Atlantic Fish Co offers delicious, clean, and safe seafood that is grown without animal suffering or environmental impact. Their cultivated protein technology ensures real seafood free of plastics, mercury, and antibiotics.


8. Inland Seafood

Inland Seafood is the largest seafood and specialty foods distributor in the Southeast, offering a complete line of premium fin fish, shellfish, antibiotic and hormone-free meats, game, poultry, cheeses, olives, oils, and more. They are committed to providing high-quality proteins and artisan provisions to meet every need.


9. Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST)

The principal mission of the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) is to discover innovative solutions to questions and problems in marine systems and provide effective communication of these discoveries. By promoting multidisciplinary studies among research scientists, educators and extension specialists from the participating NC State University colleges, enhancing interaction with other educational institutions and agencies concerned with marine sciences and coastal natural resources, CMAST provides a focal point for citizen contact with NC State University’s marine science and extension faculty. By virtue of its location, CMAST is a nexus for partnerships with federal, state, county and private institutions with research and education capabilities centered in Morehead City, North Carolina and the surrounding area. The CMAST facility is a resource not only for NCSU faculty and students, but other scientists with interest in conducting research and training programs within North Carolina. There are over 35 marine science faculty from 17 departments at NC State University that are affiliated with CMAST. Some unique aspects of CMAST are: 1) the multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research base, including various regional research groups (UNC-IMS, Carteret Community College, NC Division of Marine Fisheries, National Ocean Service, Duke University Marine Laboratory), 2) integrated research and outreach, fostered by the co-location of Carteret Community College faculty, NC Sea Grant marine extension specialists, Carteret County Cooperative Extension field faculty, and NCSU faculty in the CMAST facility, and 3) the unique coastal and near-ocean environment – the Croatan-Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System - the largest lagoonal-type estuary and the second largest estuary in the U.S.


10. Sizzlefish.com

Sizzlefish is an online retailer selling premium, sustainable seafood and beef. They offer a wide variety of fish and shellfish products delivered directly to your door with guaranteed frozen arrival. Customers can choose from options like salmon, cod, halibut, tuna, and many more!


11. 3 Fish, Inc.

  • Website: 3fish.com
  • Headquarters: Gastonia, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1996
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

3Fish, Inc. is a company that offers a wide range of sustainably-sourced seafood products with delicious flavors, creativity, and convenience. They prioritize food safety and are committed to delivering convenient and memorable mealtime experiences.


12. Tantra Nightclub

海峰電器廠 is a company that specializes in developing and producing efficient deep-sea fishing equipment. Their products are designed to be high-quality, innovative, intelligent, and cost-effective. They offer specialized equipment for catching fish, including the yellow croaker and other fish species.


13. Locals Seafood

Locals Seafood is a North Carolina based seafood company that offers fresh and locally caught fish and shellfish to customers nationwide.


14. Seven Seas International USA LLC

  • Website: 7siusa.com
  • Headquarters: Asheville, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn

SevenSeas International USA LLC offers high quality and sustainably sourced seafood products such as smoked seafood, bakery products, and ready-to-eat meals. The company promotes food safety and quality through sustainable resources and certifications.


15. Marine Bio-Technologies Center of Innovation (MBCOI)

  • Website: mbcoi.net
  • Headquarters: Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2012
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn

As a powerhouse in both marine science and biotechnology research, North Carolina (NC) is poised to become a global hub for marine biotechnology in the 21st century. To facilitate that process, the Marine Bio-Technologies Center of Innovation (MBCOI) was established in 2012 through an inception grant from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBC). As an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, MBCOI seeks to facilitate the translation of innovative marine-related discoveries into products and services to benefit North Carolina’s economy. By combining a regional focus with a global perspective, MBCOI will become the NEXUS for information, collaboration, and commercialization of marine biotechnologies among our stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.


16. Butin

  • Website: butinpr.com
  • Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2005
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Butin Communications Group is a PR and digital agency that provides diverse offerings and expertise. They specialize in creating dynamic campaigns for their clients to command share of voice leadership.


17. Dockside North Seafood Market

Dockside North Seafood Market offers fresh and local seafood, including live lobster, shrimp, Alaskan King crab, and Snow crab, steamed to order. They also offer Down East Clambake spiced to perfection and ready to go!


18. Putsch & Company, Inc.

  • Website: putschusa.com
  • Headquarters: Fletcher, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1975
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Putsch® is a comprehensive technology company offering a wide range of solutions in industries such as sugar, filtration and separation, root vegetable processing, and glass. With over 150 years of experience, Putsch® provides integrated products and services to simplify complexity for customers.


19. North Carolina Catch

Select NC seafood from NC fishermen.


20. Fisherynation

  • Website: fisherynation.com
  • Headquarters: Bayboro, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Your Fisherynation. What is this place, and why does it exist? Until now, in it's very short life, it has been used to collect news from our coastal communities and posted for people to read and hopefully, generate comments. This was not the original intent. Fisherynation was created for all fishermen of every region, enabling them to


Want to find more fish processing companies?


If you want to find more companies that offer a wide range of seafood products, focusing on quality and sustainability you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.


With Inven you'll also get to know the company's:


  • Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
  • Contact data: Who are the owners and CEO's? What are their emails and phone numbers?
  • Financials: How do these companies perform financially? What are their revenues and profit margins?

...and a lot more!