Frequently Asked Questions

fresh lobster

Do you sell to retail customers?

No, Mattes Seafood is only licensed for wholesale. You must have a business license and tax ID to purchase from Mattes Seafood.

What areas does Seafood Merchants service?

Mattes Seafood provides the finest seafood to the Baltimore Metro Area, Annapolis, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Please call 800.651.2722 to see if you fall within our delivery area.

Do you accept credit cards?

Currently only cash and company checks are accepted as payment.

What days do you deliver?

We deliver Monday through Saturday.

How do I place an order?

As we have built our business on exceptional customer service, we will always try to accommodate your needs. Mattes Seafood accepts orders for same day delivery up to 7 am. We highly recommend placing your order the day before, so product availability can be confirmed.

What about substitutions?

Occasionally, items run out of stock. It is the policy of Mattes Seafood to make every attempt to contact our customers before providing a substitute, or make alternate arrangements. Always provide your Mattes Seafood representative with your latest contact information and (whenever possible) multiple contacts.

How do I know my seafood is safe?

Mattes Seafood follows strict FDA and HACCP guidelines for the handling, storage and transportation of all seafood products. All orders leaving our state of the art facility are packed in ice and delivered in our fleet of refrigerated trucks. It is recommended that all seafood and animal products be cooked before consuming.

Is mercury in seafood something I should be concerned about?

Mercury is a metal that is both naturally occurring in nature and a by-product of the burning of fossil fuels. Mercury is a contaminant and poses a health risk to humans when ingested in sufficient quantities. Most fish and shellfish contain trace amounts of mercury, although the amount varies from species to species. Mercury collects in the fatty tissues of living organisms and the amounts vary depending on the creature’s diet, lifespan, and habitat. Long lived top predators like shark and swordfish will absorb more mercury than shrimp and sardines. Although it is a good idea to limit the consumption of some of the more ‘at risk’ species, there has never been a single published clinical diagnosis linking the health effects of mercury to the consumption of seafood in the United States.

I’ve heard that farmed salmon is not a healthy choice. Is this true?

Although there have been problems with individual farms, it would be completely unfair to dismiss all aqua cultured salmon based on the actions of the least responsible players. Many salmon farming groups utilize ‘best practice’ methods and run highly reputable operations, with low fish to water density ratios, zero use of hormones and responsible use of antibiotics. As the human population continues to grow, we are placing demands on the environment that simply cannot be met without the use of aquaculture. It is possible to farm salmon (and other species) in a manner that produces healthy seafood and without putting undue stress on the environment. The rule of thumb should always be ‘know your suppliers’. Salmon is high in protein, vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids.

What is your policy regarding sustainable seafood?

As a responsible purveyor of seafood, Mattes Seafood supports the efforts of regulatory agencies like the DNR and NOAA to maintain healthy populations of wild fish. Fish is the last wild food stock that human beings utilize. Without responsible management of fish populations, we would quickly face extinctions of many popular species. As each species fits into a specific niche in the environment, the absence of that species will have a cascading effect on the health of the oceans. If you’re concerned about offering sustainable choices to your clientele, ask your Mattes Seafood sales representative for the ‘green’ catch of the day.

What is the ‘Mattes Seafood Advantage’?

At Mattes Seafood, we guarantee freshness every day. Since 1945, our seafood has been personally purchased and inspected by our knowledgeable owners. Over the years, our vendor partners have been some of the most respected in the industry. As we enter our fourth generation in the seafood business, we are operating seven days a week from our state-of-the-art HACCP Certified warehouse in Aberdeen, Maryland. We receive, inspect, process and ship product from around the world to loyal customers — some of whom have been with us for over 30 years.

We sell seafood exclusively. You can rely on Mattes Seafood for personalized, guaranteed service. We know our business and we pride ourselves on knowing yours.