FishWife Wholesale: More money for the fisherman

Published 7:23 pm Monday, July 29, 2024

ILWACO — Poor processor prices are pushing one Ilwaco couple to form their own wholesale seafood business.

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FishWife Wholesale

Patricia Willis, owner

503-898-0522

https://fishwife-wholesale.square.site

The business, named FishWife Wholesale, officially began in April, with a partnership between owner Patricia Willis and commercial fisherman Jerry Matzen II.

“Jerry owns the boat (F/V Beachcomer) and I am the wholesaler/dealer,” said Willis, 40. “He is who I buy from.”

The business provides fresh, seasonal seafood, including Dungeness crab, rockfish, halibut, petrale sole and black cod, all caught by Matzen and crew aboard the Beachcomer, home-ported in Ilwaco.

“Right now we’re crabbing and doing a little black cod. Aug. 9 is a halibut opener, so that will be a big thing for us as well,” Matzen said.

As licensed retailers in Washington and Oregon, they sell the product at four local markets, including the Astoria Sunday Market, (Wednesday) Seaside Market, (Thursday) Uppertown Market and the (Friday) Manzanita farmers market.

“We also sell off the boat to supply locals with our catch,” Willis said.

“Locals don’t have to go too far to get their fresh fish.”

Beginning of the business

A commercial fisherman for the past 14 years, Matzen, 38, officially became owner of the Beachcomer in 2022, purchasing the 1976 38-foot vessel from former owner Jim Kary.

The wholesale business was born from struggles dealing with local processors.

“The cannery quit buying, so we needed to come up with another alternative. Or their prices were so low that it was hard to make it,” Matzen said.

“During the halibut opener they wanted to give us $5 per pound, which is not very much. We can’t pay for the crew, fuel and bait on that. It all adds up. We should make more for the amount of work that we do.”