SHELLFISH

Scallop prices are holding firm or going up (U-10 and larger). While the Nantucket Lightship area has been opened for the first time in a few years, the larger scallops that are being landed are being frozen. Fresh U-10s, or larger, are still in limited supply and prices are up about a dollar over the average. Once frozen pars are where they need to be, fresh supply should start to open up and prices should level off. We should see good pricing this winter.

Oysters are still in good supply. Island Creeks off the East Coast continue to be limited. We should see better availability in the fall hopefully. In the meantime, try out some WiAnno or Peter’s Points for a comparable East Coast oyster. West Coast supply is good as well. As we get into the hottest months of the year, most of our West Coast oyster farmers we buy from will be switching over to a “triploid” oyster. A triploid is an oyster with an extra chromosome added that will prevent the oyster from going into spawn during the hot temperatures. This mainly affects oysters coming out of Washington, Oregon and California.

Soft shells are still going strong. Weather permitting, we should have a shipment coming in midweek and for the weekend. Prices are still very favorable.

Hard-shell clams and mussels are in good supply this week. Remember to use lots of ice (as you always should anyway) this time of year on your shellfish during storage.

EAST COAST

Dab fillets and sushi flukes are a good bargain this week. Cod, haddock and monkfish will be tight and prices will be up a bit.

Wild striped bass are running. However, prices are still a little steep. If you are interested, please let your rep know and we’ll be happy to bring some in for you.

WEST COAST

Alaskan halibut supply is good and prices are stable this week. Halibut cheeks are also in-house and available for the week.

Pacific cod will be tight this week.

Grouper, shallow (Dover) sole, Petrale sole, rockfish, black cod, yellowtail, sardines and fresh Dungeness meat will be available this week.

California white sea bass will be back in for the weekend and is still a great bargain.

GREAT LAKES

It’s almost as hot in the Midwest as it is here in Colorado! Walleye have sought deeper waters to stay cool. In the meantime, fishermen will be targeting smelt to stock up for winter supply. In the meantime, walleye, whitefish and perch will be tight.

GULF

It looks like there may be good news coming out of the Gulf this week as containment efforts continue, and the best shot yet at containing the well is being put in place today. Let’s hope the leak can be stopped and all the focus can be put into cleaning the mess up. We can only hope the recovery is swift and no more damage will be done. We have seen some of our friends and partners in the affected areas lose their livelihoods right before our own eyes. We pray the worst is over and not yet to come.

Our vendors have reassured us time and again that the fish we are sourcing out of the Gulf is safe for consumption. This week’s options include yellowtail snappers, swordfish, escolar and yellowfin (ahi) tuna. Tuna will be limited this week, however, as not much was brought to auction over the weekend.

Mahi mahi is still difficult to source, which is very typical this time of year. Expect prices to be high.

HAWAII

Great availability on the Hawaiian auction today! Fishermen were busy over the weekend and landed lots of fish, including Onaga snapper, spearfish (hebi), wahoo (ono), swordfish, albacore tuna and opah. Bigeye (ahi) tuna is tight coming out of Hawaii this week.

WILD SALMON

The wild salmon season got off to a slow start this year. Fortunately, availability and pricing have gotten much better during the recent weeks. The highly coveted Yukon River kings made an appearance in Denver this weekend! This is as good as it gets when talking about wild salmon (and all other fish, if you ask me!). The Yukon River is massive and long. The fish make a 2,000 mile journey from the ocean up the river to the spawning ground. The Yukon, being one of the coldest rivers, helps these fish pack on an incredible fat content, as high as 30% (as in omega-3s, which are very good for your health and for flavor!). Take advantage now as the season only lasts two weeks, and then it will be another year before we see them again! Don’t worry, though, we have lots of other great options including Bristol Bay sockeyes, Ivory troll kings and red troll kings, which should be around a little longer.