SALMON/TROUT

As the wild salmon season starts to wind down, the wild Coho season is finally underway with quantity and quality. Unfortunately, retail wild salmon ads have seemingly run their course.  You can still take advantage of large Quillayute Coho available this week. Ask your sales rep to book for your special menus. Columbia River kings are available, but be aware of fish with dark skin and pale meat color. We have cautioned our suppliers to ship only quality kings with good color.

As predicted in earlier market reports, Atlantic salmon prices are creeping upwards. Demand is still light, halting a more rapid increase, but expect higher prices as we head into the holiday season. Atlantic salmon prices will still be lower than last season.  As always we will provide, direct from the farm, Scottish and the highly touted Loch Duarte salmon for your premium selections.

Trout prices will remain firm, but are still a bargain and a perfect menu choice. We offer dressed whole trout, fillets, pin bone out, and the size you need.  Bigger sizes are a bit tight, but we have good supply. Increased demand should pose no problem for your winter white and red trout needs.

CATFISH

Catfish numbers are almost back to normal, and Seattle Fish Company is keeping up with increasing supply. Swai, which was proven to be a good catfish substitute when supply was very tight, has increased in price due to increased demand. Go figure. Catfish is not only a retail fish. Ask your fish expert at Seattle Fish how you can add a catfish special to your fall menu.

WEST COAST

The halibut catch this year is over 90% complete and prices are at record levels. Debate continues over a halibut catch share plan, and Seattle Fish Company supports any idea that provides sustainability and fiscal responsibility. As always our main goal is to provide high-quality sustainable halibut. Price, while always important, is not the number-one priority for our customers. West Coast ground fish will be tight this week due to high winds. Dungeness crab season off the Washington coast opened last Saturday with small catch and very high prices. The entire coast opens in early December. The usual Mexican species, such as snapper, grouper and yellowtail, are taking a back seat to the Mexican shrimp season. Speaking of wild Mexican shrimp, ask your sales representatives about the arrival of first-of-the-season U-10, U-15 and 16-20 shrimp. Prices opened a bit lower than last season.

EAST COAST

As we continue into the fall season, scallop prices continue firm.  Raw material has come from Closed Area I and II for the past several weeks and 75% of Closed Area trips have been completed, decreasing supply. On the bright side, quality has been very good, and the percentage of dark gray scallops landed has diminished.  Scallops from these areas are naturally darker than those of the mid-Atlantic region due to the food supply. 

Lackluster buying interest recently has driven Northeast ground fish prices down. Some attribute this to slower restaurant business in New York and Boston. Lobster prices remain unchanged for firm hardshells.

SHELLFISH

We are quickly approaching prime shellfish season. Domestic mussels are once again added to our list. Somewhat larger than the Canadian PEIs, they are full meated and reasonably priced. Hardshell clams from Dennis, Massachusetts, and West Coast manila clams are available and quality is very good. 

East Coast oyster production is also strong. Ask about all the choices we offer, and if you need a particular oyster, your sales rep will likely find it for you. Supply of Island Creek oysters continues to increase. Fresh Gulf shrimp is available weekly and recent quality has been excellent.

GULF

In addition to fresh shrimp, our main supply of domestic tuna comes from the Gulf waters. Tuna supply is down this week due to weather conditions and lack of imports, but expect a short trip load of yellowfin tuna later in the week. When available, we offer small tuna loins, great color and excellent price. Supply of snapper and grouper from the Gulf has diminished lately, but expect our Gulf Wild program to be in full swing this winter. The sustainability and transparency of catch are appealing to many chefs. Check out mygulfwild.com for more information.

GREAT LAKES

Walleye supplies are starting to increase and should stay strong through the fall months. In addition, Great Lakes offering includes whitefish, lake perch, carp and buffalo.

HAWAII

Hawaii has somewhat released its grip on high-priced bigeye tuna, and  recent shipments have included monchong, striped marlin, blue marlin, opah and bottom fish. Bigeye tuna has somewhat fattier, softer flesh than yellowfin, with excellent flavor. Our buyers on the Honolulu auction are always on the lookout for quality and reasonable prices. They buy in the morning, pack our fish in an LD 3 airline container, and have it to our door the next morning. Can’t get much better than that.

Check out our website and Seasonality Guide, call your expert Seattle Fish Company fishmonger, and place your orders.

Regards,

Harry Mahleres
Director of Purchasing

Harry@seattlefish.com
303.329.9595 ext. 121