Saving Seafood

New bill would limit finfish aquaculture start-ups

March 8, 2019 — Alaska Rep. Don Young (R) introduced the Keep Fin Fish Free Act in early May, a bill that that would prohibit federal agencies from authorizing commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the Federal Exclusive Economic Zone unless specifically authorized by Congress.

The seafood industry is critical to Alaska’s economy, and we must be doing all we can to protect the health and integrity of our state’s wild fish stock,” said Young. “If not properly managed, industrial aquaculture operations threaten Alaska’s unique ecosystem with non-native and genetically modified fish species.

There is only one federally regulated offshore aquaculture producer currently in operations in the United States — Catalina Sea Ranch, which produces 2 million pounds of mussels a year in a 100-acre site six miles off the coast of California. But plans to establish new marine finfish operations have been discussed off and on for years.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

Could California’s ocean ranches solve a global food shortage and fix the seafood trade deficit?

November 27, 2018 — The Pacific Ocean is mountain-spring clear here six miles off the coast of Huntington Beach, Calif., where Phil Cruver has been ranching for a few months now.

Dangling between buoys that rise on the occasional swell are sweeps of lines, some strung horizontally, others plunging vertically toward the sea plateau’s floor 150 feet below. The depth drops into oblivion about a mile to the west, and what rises are nutrients that make this prime farming territory. The proof is on the lines — the thick coils of mussel, Cruver’s livestock and his bet that deep-ocean ranching is the future of the world’s food supply.

This 100-acre patch of Pacific is the Catalina Sea Ranch, the first commercially viable aquaculture operation in federal waters. The first mussel harvest was this summer, and it is expanding to a planned 30 times its current size.

As it does, the ranch will take on the scope that the Trump administration envisions for an industry burdened for decades by a confused bureaucracy and a wary view that using the sea as a solution to future food shortages might do more environmental harm than good.

Diving along line No. 38 in the unseasonably warm water, it is easy to see the promise. The clumps of mussels are bulky along the length of the lines, which vanish into cobalt blue about 60 feet down. Schools of small fish swirl around the lines, and tiny scallops grow on the shells of the jet-black mussels.

Read the full story at The Washington Post

California’s Largest Restaurant and Instagram Sensation San Pedro Fish Market hosts event to mark debut of Season Three of Kings Of Fi$h Reality Series attracting 4 Million online views for their Seafood Supertray XXXL

July 10, 2017 — The following was released by the San Pedro Fish Market:

The legendary San Pedro Fish Market, just set a yet another new mark that only it could dream up, serving hundreds of invited guests, television and print reporters, and local VIP’s with the 100+ pound Seafood Supertray XXXL.

“We knew we needed to make something special to mark the start of our third season of the Kings of Fi$h and that’s how the Seafood Supertray XXXL was born,” said Mike Ungaro, Vice President, San Pedro Fish Market. “Kings of Fi$h has been seen over 42 million times online by people that love seafood as much as we do so 100+ pounds of shrimp, lobster, Catalina Sea Ranch mussels, clams, octopus and fried sea bass was the perfect start for the season.”

Kings of Fi$h is an online reality series that follows the families which founded, own, and operate the 61 year old landmark San Pedro Fish Market. It has been seen online over 42 million times in the last fourteen months on social media and online outlets, including Foodbeast. In addition is has won three major awards besting numerous international brands.

“All of the seafood in our Supertray XXXL is wild caught or sustainably farmed which is what our social media and online viewers really appreciate. We were very proud to use Catalina Sea Ranch mussels sustainably farmed just six miles off the Southern California coast. Local sourcing is always a goal of ours and we are very blessed to have great partners,” explained Mike Ungaro. “This year we project serving 2 million guests and over 75% of those use social media from our location so it is absolutely necessary we continue to partner with the best seafood providers.”

CWith its retail product line now in stores for over five years and its second year of recognition by Time Magazine, CNBC and others as one of America’s most Instagrammed restaurants, San Pedro Fish Market has proven its ability to sell seafood to generations of families.

“Quality seafood served in a family friendly, fun environment has always been our formula for success,” said Mike Ungaro. “The great thing about Kings of Fi$h is it really shows the challenges we face within those fun experiences. Since the show began our in store sales have grown by double digits, so we know social media is having a huge effect. Our commitment has always been to give people a fun and authentic experience, and what you see in the show is what you get at the Market!”

Read the full release here