SALMON/TROUT

Wild salmon remains the King or the Coho, depending on your choice. Troll King fishing from Canada to the California coast remained brisk with somewhat softer pricing this week. The Bodega and San Jose fisheries will remain open until September, depending on catch numbers. 

The wild fishery is in transition from sockeye to Coho with large retail ads this week leading the way.  The Coho fishery is slow starting this year, making sourcing difficult, but Yukon River Coho are kicking in later this week, and we should have ample supply.

Atlantic salmon supply and pricing remain stable this week. Look for prices to spike when the wild season winds down. Supply continues to outstrip demand, contributing to the stability. Chile’s original estimates for production were about 185,000 metric tons, upgraded to more than 205,000 tons, a 60% increase over last year’s numbers.

Trout production remains down as the heat wave continues.  Hot weather inhibits the feeding and grow out, making large fillet sizes scarce.  Combined with higher feed numbers, prices are up.

CATFISH

Catfish numbers are starting to return to normal, but demand has fallen due to replacement of other whitefish species and higher prices. While some farmers have switched catfish harvests to soybeans or rice, many processors anticipate returning to near normal operations soon. Still, processors remain wary of expanded operations due to the instability of fuel and feed prices.

WEST COAST

Halibut prices remain firm which poses an interesting dilemma in the frozen halibut market this winter. Typically, halibut remains on menus after the fresh season, with customers taking advantage of Seattle Fish’s quality refresh program. Higher prices this year will likely create other menu options. Your Seattle Fish representative will keep you updated.

High winds have hampered the Canadian and Alaskan ground fisheries. Rock cod, true cod, arrowtooth flounder, and dover will be short until the end of the week. California yellowtail, our summer substitute for mahi, remains available and well priced. The cost of dry Mexican bays firmed due to availability.

EAST COAST

Scallop Areas 1 & 2 have opened, and first boats are in. Reports are there’s an abundance of large scallops. As a result, 10/20s are short, and prices have risen. U/10s will be plentiful, and prices should fall a bit. Don’t look for a free fall, however, due to the large majority of catch going to the freezers. Quality from these areas will be very good. Scallop quotas were increased this year, hopefully contributing to price stability.

The Maine lobster season has kicked in, and the price of chicks thru halves is down. The new shells are firm enough to ship to Colorado. The 2-pound lobsters and up remain Canadian hard shells. Prices are advantageous for lobster specials and lobster rolls, long a staple on New England menus.

SHELLFISH

Quality and shelf life remain a challenge due to hot summer weather in most of our shellfish beds. Canadian mussels from Prince Edward Island have been the exception. Cooler weather and less spawn problems have created few mussel issues. Hardshell clams from Dennis, Mass., are another story, due to the Massachusetts heat wave. We are bringing in product several times a week to keep the clams fresh.  

Oyster production is limited. Variety will increase in October with cooler weather. We are still buying Virginia soft shell crabs weekly.  Preorder your tray of whales, jumbos, or primes from your Seattle Fish representative.

Also ask about our weekly shipment of fresh Pontchartrain Gulf shrimp. These are approximately 21-25 count tails, brought to port by the smaller daily skiff trawlers.

GULF

Gulf tuna has been plentiful, and quality from short-trip boats has been excellent. Ask your rep about the perfect cut and grade. Also available are the small loin tuna for a budget price. Snapper fishing has been limited, but we expect another shipment of “gulf wild” this week. The individually tagged fish provide full traceability. 

Gulf seafood continues to be safe, proven by rigorous testing. Ask your sales representative how you can fill your menus and retail cases with gulf options. New conservation methods, such as the gulf wild program established by the Shareholders Alliance, will ensure supply for future generations.

GREAT LAKES

Cooler weather next month will hopefully mean the return of walleye and other Great Lakes species. The heat has driven the fish deep into cooler water, hampering fishing.

HAWAII

Great demand for fatty big eye in Japan has forced high tuna prices at the Honolulu auction. Numbers have been in the 30,000-lb. daily range, which is somewhat low. Last Thursday’s total was 100,000, so we may be able to put a variety shipment together this week.  Our buyer sends average daily prices. If you have a request for a whole fish, such as opah, marlin, or mahi, we will ask our buyer to look for a fresh daily catch and put it on our overnight shipment.  Ask your rep for details.

Look for our Seasonality Guide, and, as always, seek out your friendly, knowledgeable Seattle Fish Company rep for assistance.

Regards,

Harry Mahleres
Director of Purchasing

Harry@seattlefish.com
303.329.9595 ext. 121