Wanchese Fish Company Inc.

W.R. Etheridge, a hard-working, innovative man, started a small fish processing plant in the harbor community of Wanchese on Roanoke Island in 1936. In 1941, Malcolm Daniels married Etheridge’s daughter, Maude, and later joined the business of sorting, packing and shipping fresh seafood. Soon after, in 1946, Daniels was given charge of the company. The Daniels’ had 15 children—all of which have contributed to the family’s success. Today, the second and third generations of the Daniels own and manage the venture.

The First Move
In the late 70s, due to the severe shoaling off the coast of North Carolina, Malcom was unable to pass his fleet through Oregon Inlet to unload its fresh catch in his Wanchese fish house. Being a man of great ingenuity, he then turned his business toward Virginia. He sent one of his sons to Hampton to open a new Wanchese Fish operation. During this time, Malcom’s vision flourished as his children began to take different roles to ... [More Information]