Shellfish
We are heading into spawn season for mussels. This will begin to affect our domestic black mussels and PEI mussels.  Spawning is the mussels' natural attempt to reproduce; it does not affect the quality or taste of the meat.

However, if the spawn is allowed to go unchecked, it will produce a rancid odor. Spawn can easily be detected by the presence of a thick orange liquid that can be seen on the sides of the container or bag. If this liquid is allowed to dry, it will produce an odor. One mussel releasing spawn triggers other mussels to do the same, compounding the problem. If there is any sign of mussels releasing spawn, immediately rinse them off with fresh cold water. Temperature is always a factor with mussels; however, it is even more critical during this period. Ice the mussels down and keep them as close to 34 degrees as possible.

Johnny Blue mussels (domestic black mussels) are back in stock after being out last week due to heavy rains.

Availability on hardshell clams and oysters (East and West Coast) is good this week. As we get into the warmer months, oyster availability will tighten up as water temperatures begin to rise. Try Island Creek oysters to avoid the hassles! This E/C oyster is available year-round!
U-10 dry-pack scallop price should creep up a bit as some areas have closed down due to quotas being filled. This will tighten up the market and drive prices up.

East Coast
Good availability this week. Wild striped bass are running, and price is starting to come down a bit.  All fish are a good bargain right now! Cod, haddock, wild stripers, monkfish, sushi flukes, and dab fillets are in house.

West Coast
High winds are forcing boats to come in in certain areas. Expect availability on groundfish to tighten up over the next few days.

Availability for the first part of the week is good. California white sea bass is a great bargain right now! Black cod, Pacific cod, rockfish, arctic char, petrale and Dover sole, ocean perch, halibut, and fresh Dungeness meat all came in fresh last night and today.

Great Lakes
Temperatures have been hot in the Midwest recently. This will begin to force the fish into deeper, cooler waters and will make the catch more difficult. Walleye is in good supply this week. Take advantage now!

Hawaii
Great selection on the Hawaiian auction this week! Lehi (maroon) and uku (grey) snapper, blue and striped marlin, Kona Kampachi, albacore tuna, swordfish, ono, and opah are all in stock.

Salmon
Wild salmon season is in full swing! We have a variety of different fish available this week, including Cook Inlet and Yakutak River sockeyes, red and ivory troll kings, Columbia River kings, and some MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified Alaskan net kings! Pricing is starting to come down across the board on all these fish as well!

No good news for you Yukon River king lovers. The only fish we will see coming out of the Yukon this year will be keta. While this is disappointing, it will be far better for the longevity of the kings, which is an integral part of the way of life for the people who inhabit the area, as well as for the rest of us who would like to see this fish around in coming years!

Shrimp
Smaller sizes on the black tiger market are in short supply right now. We will supplement inventory with Gulf white shrimp where needed to keep options available. Pricing is actually pretty competitive between the whites and tigers right now, which could mean better shrimp at a better price!

Try Laughing Bird shrimp this week! This is our featured item this month. Laughing Bird shrimp are a fully sustainable, Caribbean white shrimp that cook up bright red, and have the sweetest flavor of any shrimp we’ve ever tasted around here. Shrimp Ceviche anyone? This is one of the best products we offer in our line of sustainable seafood!