Featured Product: Grouper

Groupers are a strong species; they can lock themselves into self-created caves between sand and rock using their powerful gill muscles. These stout-bodied, large-mouthed fish aren’t built for fast, long-distance swimming, but they do belong to one of the largest and most widely distributed family of fish, the sea basses. They can be found in temperate waters from Florida and the Mid-Atlantic states to the Gulf of Mexico, Central America and South America. Grouper is a mild-flavored fish with a firm texture and is versatile in how it can be prepared – from blackened to grilled to skewered. The most common grouper exported from Baja California is a Baqueta Grouper, a true grouper from the Epinephelus family. These fish range from Puerto San Carlos on the Pacific side to the tip of the Baja and also occur seasonally in Mainland Mexico in the region of Sinaloa.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Seattle Fish Company works in partnership with its vendors to support sustainable fishing practices. Over the past 15 years Catalina Offshore Products has developed relationships with specific fishing cooperatives and groups in southern Baja that have consistently provided high-quality hook-and-line grouper. The limited infrastructure, fishing technology and variable weather conditions in Baja provide significant advantages for the resource to remain stable.

Fishing in this area (and most of the Baja) is done in small 18-22 foot boats or "pangas" with two or three fishermen per panga using hand lines. They typically launch off the beach in the early mornings, returning late afternoon. Ice is stored in 55 gallon drums turned on their sides with a "hatch door" cut out of the middle to move the ice and fish. Daily fishing range is limited by weather, without GPS the fishermen rely on landmarks that are often obscured by fog. Also, high surf or wind restrict fishing days. This year, El Nino weather conditions greatly reduced the overall number of fishing days.

In reviewing the catch quantities and overall fish size, Catalina Offshore has seen fairly consistent landings overall through the last 15 years of purchasing from these groups. Most variation in landing quantities have been due to unusual seasonal weather patterns. The hand line fishing methods and limited technology provide a "best case" opportunity for sustaining stable grouper populations in this area.

Fun Facts about Grouper:

• Some species of grouper can be as large as 10 feet and reach a weight of 1,000 lbs.
• Some groupers are so large that when they open their mouths to feed, they create a suction that is powerful enough to inhale small prey.
• Relatively long-lived, some groupers have reached their 30th birthday.
• As a defense mechanism, they have the ability to change the color of their skin to blend in with their environment
• Groupers may undergo a sex reversal as they age. All young yellowmouth groupers are born female, but as they grow larger, they may change into males.

In support of our industry friends in the gulf, we encourage our customers to order gulf products. Throughout August, Seattle Fish Company will donate a percentage of gulf product sales to XX. Help us support seafood industry professionals in the gulf states.

Featured Chef: Enrique Socarras, Executive Chef for Cuba Cuba

Cuba Cuba Café & Bar, located in the Golden Triangle neighborhood of Denver, has received praise from many of Denver’s top publications, including 5280 Magazine, which said, “It’s hard to do much better in the dinner category than to stop by Cuba Cuba,” and The Denver Post which stated, “Denver finally has a Cuban restaurant, and reason to celebrate.”



The chef behind the “best Caribbean food in Denver” is Enrique Socarras. Born in Miami, Florida in 1977 to Cuban immigrants, he grew up surrounded by the tastes and aromas of Cuban cuisine. Submerged in Latin American culture, Enrique began his culinary journey at the age of 14 as a bar boy and dishwasher at a neighborhood restaurant, and quickly moved up the ranks. After almost 10 years in Miami’s hotels and restaurants, Enrique moved to Denver to open Cuba Cuba Café & Bar at age 23. As Cuba Cuba’s chef, Enrique shares family recipes, as well as Cuban classics. His artistic interpretation of authentic Cuban dishes provides a perfect blend for a true Cuban experience. With nearly 10 years of success, Chef Socarras continues to push his limits and enjoy himself in the kitchen.

“I use Seattle Fish Company because of the integrity and professional attitude of the company and its representatives, but mostly the quality of their seafood.”

—Enrique Socarras, Executive Chef for Cuba Cuba

 

Seattle Fish Roundup

Campbell River Fact-Finding Trip

In July, Derek Figueroa had the privilege of participating in a three-day salmon fact-finding excursion with Monterey Bay Aquarium at Campbell River, located in British Columbia. The highlight was a tour of Marine Harvest’s Sayward hatchery and Farside farm site. The opportunity to participate in a discussion between the world’s most influential seafood conservation organization and world’s largest producer of farmed salmon to discuss current sustainability initiatives of farmed salmon was a valuable, historic, and memorable experience. Seattle Fish is honored to have taken part in this trip and looks forward to participating in future conversations about sustainability in the seafood industry.

In addition to Marine Harvest, Figueroa visited with sea lice researchers purse seining wild juvenile salmon in Okisollo Straight and made stops at an Agrimarine closed containment farm, Aquatic Health Science Center and the BC Salmon Farmers Association resulting in a truly unique experience and learning opportunity.

Taste of the Nation Denver Sponsorship

Seattle Fish Company was a proud sponsor of the 2010 Taste of the Nation Denver event that took place on July 18. The event was both work and pleasure, as the company was not only a sponsor but volunteered before the event, including for set-up and load in, as well as relished the amazing modern American cuisine from the best chefs and mixologists in Colorado-all of whom came together to donate their time, talent, and passion to end childhood hunger in America. Taste of the Nation Denver benefits two important anti-hunger organizations – Colorado Campaign to End Childhood Hunger and Operation Frontline Colorado.

Urban Garden Volunteer Day

Thank you to our Green Team for organizing volunteer efforts with The Urban Farm at Stapleton. It was a great day in the Children's Garden pulling weeds, planting seedlings and watering veggies for a great organization that works to improve the lives of children living in high-risk urbanized neighborhoods by helping to create a sense of positive self-regard and self-reliance, a strong work ethic and hope. Truly a rewarding experience for everyone who participated!