The COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on the local seafood industry.

Alberto Wareham operates Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove and is a member of the Atlantic Groundfish Council.

Wareham says the situation in Europe and Asia is having an impact on world markets.

The largest market for cod in the world is Europe and with Paris shutting down restaurants and cafes down, and similar closures in Spain and Italy, that will have an impact on his business.

Wareham concedes it will take some time to see the true impact, and says it will be three or four months before anything changes.

There is no cod fishery this time of year, but Wareham says they are implementing some changes to reduce risk.

They have a refrigeration project underway and as of today all outside visitors will be kept out of the plant to protect employees.