SALMON/TROUT

The Atlantic salmon fillet market remains largely unchanged with moderate-to-lackluster demand. Northwest U.S. and Canadian supply is adequate, and the Chileans seem to have figured out some of their logistical issues, reducing supply interruptions — just in time, too, since Valentine’s Day, President’s weekend, and retail Lenten ads will dramatically increase volume.

Global supply of farmed salmon is at the highest levels since numbers were first recorded in 1992. The increased supply has reduced pricing, but production costs have increased. For example, the cost of production in Chile has more than doubled since the salmon ISA crisis in 2007 virtually shut the region down. Costs are closely aligned to new regulations enacted to prevent another outbreak. Seattle Fish Company supports these new practices and demands that our suppliers comply with best farming practices. Price support is necessary to ensure supply.

Trout continues to be a consumer favorite, and why not? It’s quick and easy to prepare, high in protein, low in calories, and tastes great — plus, it can be presented in a wide variety of ways. This popular fish is available everywhere from grocery outlets to the finest white-tablecloth restaurants. Ask your Seattle Fish Company trout expert to find the best value and cut to fit your needs. If wild is your fancy, Steelhead are still running.

CATFISH

Another farm-raised offering, catfish is sustainable, and supply is once again excellent. Retailers are running Lenten ads, and restaurants are offering a very reasonably priced menu item, so jump on board and enhance your food cost. Pricing remains steady, and even though production costs have resulted in higher prices than last year at this time, catfish is still a bargain.

WEST COAST SEAFOOD

Harsh winter weather in the northwest region (into Canada and Alaska) has severely curtailed the supply of ground fish. This week, we are offering shallow-water Dover sole, fresh J-cut black cod, petrale sole, rock cod, and arrowtooth flounder for the first time in several weeks. Right around the corner is Alaska halibut season, opening March 17, amid speculation of record prices. Quotas are expected to be cut by 20 percent in order to allow the population to regenerate in certain regions. In the meantime, we offer a refreshed halibut program. Our suppliers ship only freshly caught fish, processed and frozen immediately to our specs. We have perfected the art of thawing and cutting, providing an excellent-quality, previously frozen product.

Our San Francisco and San Diego fish friends are supplying Monterey sardines and anchovies, large California halibut, yellowtail jack, grouper, Mexican Bay scallops, snappers, Mexican stone crabs, and White Sea bass. Our sales reps can apprise you of the many species we offer from the West Coast.

EAST COAST SEAFOOD

March 1 is fast approaching — the day scallopers get back their fishing days at sea. Few days remain until then, forcing scallop prices higher. Most landings are 10/20s, with very few U-10s. Once again this year, closed areas 1 and 2 will open, along with the Nantucket Lightship, Hudson Canyon, and Delmarva. Buying interest in East Coast ground fish has increased and will continue as we move further into Lent. Prices are moderate, with the best value being fresh haddock fillet. 

Maine’s lobster catch exceeds 100 million pounds for the first time ever in 2011. Live lobster prices continue to be a value, even though cost has crept upwards lately with higher demand. Note, too, that Canadian fisherman have slowed production due to lack of price support. Still, live lobsters should be part of your menu consideration. Buy a full case of lobsters carefully packaged in a “cloud pack” box and get a discount. Ask your rep for details.

SHELLFISH

Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day weekend provide more excuses to eat oysters . Is there ever a reason or season not to slurp a dozen of these tasty morsels?Seattle Fish Company provides the largest selection and finest quality to fit every need and taste. Are you a brine hound? Try one of our “tastes of the ocean” — Olde Salts from the Chesapeake, Winnano’s from Cape Cod or Wellfleets, and Peter’s Points from Duxbury. Do you hate salt and want something sweeter? Try Kumamoto’s — the sweetest of the sweet — or Totten Inlet and Nootka Sounds. All should satisfy your sweet tooth. Be aware that Kumos remain tight, so order early. Our selections vary somewhat from week to week and season to season, depending on what’s the best available. Your Seattle Fish oyster expert will help you find the perfect oyster for you. 

Manila clams and cockles fit the bill for pasta dishes that require a quick-opening clam to finish the dish. Want the true steamers in a bucket, complemented by sourdough to dip in the clam juice? We have ‘em. Our perfectly sized littlenecks, top necks, and cherrystones fill your hard-shell clam needs. Razor clams have been scarce lately due to tides, but will likely be available later this week.

GULF SEAFOOD

Gulf tuna boats are returning to port, and shipment of yellowfin tunas is coming from New Orleans. When they’re available, we buy small tunas at a very good price. Try these smaller loins to get the tuna experience at a value. Loins from these fish come from 40–50 lb. whole tunas. Our graded tunas are 70 pounds plus, headed and gutted.

American Red Snappers, groupers, mahi, stone crab claws, and pompano come from our Gulf suppliers. When boats arrive with our “Gulf Wild” catch, we buy the tagged Red Snappers and groupers. Join Gulf Wild on Facebook for the latest information and updates from this program.

GREAT LAKES FISH

Ice fishing is in full swing, and somewhat regular shipments of walleye have been arriving. The full lake season opens in May.

HAWAII FISH

Honolulu daily auction numbers continue to vary, creating pricing uncertainty. Tuna numbers are good one day and very high the next, making buys difficult. Projected numbers this week look better. A mixed load of tuna, monchong, marlin, hebi, and bottom fish is in our sights for your weekend sales. Our buyers will send average pricing when the auction opens and, if the offer is reasonable, receive a purchase order. When buying is completed, the fish are packed, loaded, and shipped on the late flight to Denver. We receive the product in less than 24 hours from Hawaii.

SUSTAINABILITY

We have mentioned our commitment to sustainable practices more than once and are not paying mere lip service to this effort. Our goal is not to align ourselves with every NGO available, but to selectively pick our partners and actively participate and support those entities promoting fishery improvement. Seattle Fish Company will sit in a meeting in Boston with Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and Conapesca, the governing shrimp body in Mexico, to hear of progress in improving the Mexican shrimp industry. We want our suppliers to force their producers to include turtle-exclusion devices, by-catch reduction devices, and newer, more efficient trawl gear when harvesting Mexican shrimp. Many regulations are in place, but this good work needs to be backed up with enforcement. Seattle Fish Company is your sustainable partner. 

Use our seasonality guide, and rely on our expert sales staff for all your seafood needs.

Regards,

Harry Mahleres
Director of Purchasing

Harry@seattlefish.com
303.329.9595 ext. 121