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Cape Cod seafood shops suffering amid COVID-19 pandemic

ORLEANS, Mass. — A lot of seafood markets on Cape Cod are now selling fish and shellfish cheaper than ever before. And while it’s great for customers, it’s happening because of a much bigger problem for the seafood industry as COVID-19 continues to spread.

Many seafood markets on Cape Cod are fully stocked and ready to go, ahead of their busiest season of the year. But this year, because of the coronavirus, their biggest buyers aren’t buying.

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Inside Orleans Seafood Market, lobster prices are what you’d consider dirt cheap.

Employees there say, normally, the lobsters would be sold for $13.95 per pound. But with a major decline in demand, you can now buy them for half of that.

“This is the lowest I have ever sold lobster for,” said John White, co-owner of the market. “The lowest.”

White says he’s having to run three specials a week to get people to buy his seafood.

And while it’s great for buyers, it’s a reflection of a crippling Cape Cod seafood industry.

“Anything that we can do to survive at this point is what we’re trying to do,” he said.

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Next week, the week of April first, is when many local restaurants start to open for the beginning of their busy season. But because of COVID-19, many are only allowed to do take-out or remain closed altogether.

White says he’s only selling fish and shellfish to four restaurants on the Cape, as opposed to the usual 40.

“We’re in uncharted territory,” he said. “My business basically wholesale-wise is shut down because of it.”

He says fishermen are also struggling and are cutting their hours or not going out at all. Markets are now trying out delivery options and asking the locals to buy.

“I think we’re all going to suffer greatly if this continues for a long period of time,” White said.

Many in the seafood business are hopeful things pick up by this summer, when many small business owners make their living for the year.