Raising the Story

Reposted from nccatch.org 2024 by Liz Biro, interview and photo by B. Garrity-Blake

The story of Herman and Quinnetta Manley, better known as Fishman and Mermaid Q, is a testament to the human spirit's incredible resilience.

Facing fierce competition and the sting of discrimination after relocating from Norfolk, Va., to Hertford, N.C., this remarkable couple has not only carved a successful niche for themselves in the North Carolina seafood industry, but they are also working to combat food deserts and inspire the next generation of commercial fishers.

When Quinnetta moved from Ohio, where she worked as a nurse, to Virginia 20 years ago, she met Herman. His family was already deeply rooted in the seafood industry, operating beloved restaurants and seafood markets in Virginia's Tidewater region. “I'm going to say seafood royalty,” Quinnetta recalls.

“One day, we were in the office, and he looked at me and was like, ‘I think we should become commercial fishermen,’ … We didn't even know what we were doing. We just knew that we had to leave Virginia and come here. I had a calling to the water, and he had a calling to the water. So we just did it.”

Throughout their struggles, the Manleys worked calmly and tirelessly toward their goals, supplementing their income with other jobs while diligently building their business. They maintained impeccable records and spoke from the heart to fishery regulators. They prioritized strong professional relationships, treating fellow commercial fishers with respect and encouraging them to unite for common causes like pricing and input regarding fishery regulations.

These values and guiding principles, combined with their unwavering determination, proved instrumental in their success. “Everything I sell I touch with my two hands,” Herman said. “I want you to have the best…the cleanest, tastiest, fish and crabs.”

Today, the couple proudly harvests seafood off both Virginia and North Carolina. The couple also runs their Crackn’ Crab food truck in an underserved Norfolk neighborhood. “We standing tall,” Mermaid Q says.

The Manleys shared their story during a 2024 interview with NC Catch’s “Recognizing African American Participation in the North Carolina Seafood Industry” project team. Click here for the rest of the story.