How to buy seafood off the boat (dock sales)
Our local harbors are busy places—fishermen come and go, and offload their seafood for wholesalers and distributors to ship to restaurants, fish markets and grocery stores around the country.
Buying direct from local fishermen is a unique opportunity to learn more about different types of seafood, ask questions, and develop new relationships with the fishermen who bring seafood from the ocean to the dinner table. When buying off the boat, many people make a day of it, bringing their family to the coast to enjoy the ocean, returning home with freshly caught fish.
Fresh rockfish being sold off the boat in Moss Landing
David Toriumi of the F/V Grinder displays a fresh king salmon for sale off his boat in Santa Cruz
Customer purchasing rock crab off the boat in Monterey
The first time buying off the boat can be intimidating - taking a trip to the harbor is a bit different from shopping at a grocery store. Here’s a simple guide to buying seafood fresh off the boat:
Find Dock Sales Locally
To find out where fishermen are selling their fish in Monterey, Santa Cruz and Moss Landing, visit our Local Catch Guide, follow the harbormasters and fishermen on social media, and sign up for their email lists. When you get a notification about where and when dock sales are taking place, it’s time to get ready!Bring A Cooler or Bucket with Ice, Plastic Bags, and a Facial Covering
At home, fill a cooler or bucket halfway with ice, and toss a couple of recycled plastic bags in to transport your seafood purchase and keep it in top quality. That way your fish can stay at an optimal temperature (below 40˚F), and you can enjoy some time at the coast or harbor before heading home. During COVID, also remember to bring a facial covering!On The Dock
When you get down to the dock, find the right place, and just bring a plastic bag or a clean bucket with you—no need to lug your cooler all the way down to the docks. Sometimes fishermen will have a table set up on the docks with a sign—other times, you’ll need to look for the boat name in the location they specify. It’s common courtesy to avoid asking for “all big ones” or “all small ones” so that fishermen can provide a variety to all their customers that day.Ask For Help!
Buying seafood fresh off the boat often means that you’ll be getting whole fish that need to be cleaned or processed a bit further before cooking. If you don’t know how to clean or fillet fish, don’t let that stop you from buying it. You can ask how the fishermen suggest cleaning and preparing their seafood. In some cases, they may be able to clean or fillet the fish for you for an extra cost, if allowed in the port where they’re selling. Be mindful of the line and how busy the fishermen are before making this request.Storing Fresh Seafood - Fridge vs. Freezer
Storing seafood is the most important thing you can do. Keep it on ice on your way home, and don’t let it soak in the melting ice water—this will make the fish start to break down.When you get home, you can put seafood in the fridge if you plan to use it within a few days. Keep it on ice, and well drained. If you want to save it for a few weeks or months, you can put it in an airtight plastic bag, remove the air, label it with the date purchased, and freeze it.
When it’s time to thaw, just move it to the fridge overnight. Put it in a colander with a bowl under it so that any ice can melt off without soaking the fish. In general, you should use frozen seafood within 3 months for the best flavor.
Cooking Your Seafood
Take the fishermen’s recommendations for preparation, or find a recipe from one of our fishermen, chef’s and home cooks!
Remember, seafood is seasonal, so when you buy locally, or off the boat, you’re eating with the seasons, and experiencing the successes and challenges of the fishermen —but the benefit is great when you’re able to buy off the boat. Spread the word, and bring your friends—make a day of it!
Customers line up for dock sales in Monterey (photo by TrimTab Media)
Buying fresh king salmon off the boat
Fresh caught spot prawns on ice at the docks in Monterey (photo by TrimTab Media)