The Cult Queen of Canada from Uncover Introducing: Catching The Codfather, Part 1
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Apr 6, 2026 Carlos Rafael, fishing entrepreneur from New Bedford nicknamed the 'Codfather,' built a vast seafood empire and later faced federal investigation. He recounts his rise from the Azores, family and legacy, and how quotas and regulation shaped New Bedford. Tense scenes include undercover buyers, hidden cash ledgers, and his defiant defense of protecting his workers.
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Foreign Fleets Swept New England
- The foreign fleets in the 1960s–70s were massive floating factories harvesting New England waters, taking as much as 90% of the catch in some areas.
- Fishermen like Carlos and others saw this as an invasion that gutted local stocks and livelihoods.
Magnuson Rebuilt The Local Fleet
- The Magnuson 200-mile law (1976) reserved coastal waters for U.S. boats, transforming the industry and triggering a local boom.
- That government intervention both revived New Bedford and invited new regulation and dependency on federal support.
Carlos Started Carlos Seafood With $5,000
- Using a $5,000 loan and 27 cents, Carlos left the plant, bought two boats, and founded Carlos Seafood.
- He moved from fish cutter to middleman to boat owner as the industry boomed after Magnuson.