Fish market could be on deck for Oceanside Harbor

Commercial fisherman presented plan for an open-air seafood bazaar at Harbor & Beaches Advisory Committee meeting.

OCEANSIDE—The economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic has been widespread, the ripple effects spreading to just about every industry in the world. There has been no shortage of news stories of the pandemic’s negative effects on California’s commercial fishing industry. Commercial fishers in Northern San Diego County have clearly not been immune from the economic fallout, especially with the lack of indoor dining for several weeks.

Those commercial fishermen in Oceanside, in hopes of creating a new revenue stream, proposed a fish market at the city’s harbor.

The presentation was made during an Oceanside Harbors & Beaches Advisory Committee meeting on June 15.

San Diego Union-Tribune reported the presentation was spearheaded by James Gardner, a local fisherman. He and a group of fishermen experimented with a direct-to-consumer fish market near the Helgren’s boat charter kiosk at Oceanside Harbor, the Union-Tribune reported.

Details of the plan appear to be in development. Oceanside city staff, in publishing the agenda packet for the June 15 committee meeting, said materials for the fish market proposal “will be distributed at a later date.”

There is already precedent for a commercial fisherman-to-consumer fish market in San Diego County – Tuna Harbor Dockside Market has been a steady presence on the Downtown San Diego Embarcadero. The market is open each Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Seafood caught by commercial fishers are brought to Tuna Harbor each Saturday morning and made available to the public for purchase.

Fishers at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market are Peter and Luke Halmay, David Haworth, Johnny Glawson, Dan Major, Shane Slaughter, Nick Haworth, the Fukushima family, John Law, Zach Roach, Jordyn Kastlunger and the Red Fish Co. team.

Fish sold at the Dockside Market include black cod, sea urchin, tuna, opah, swordfish, wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, crab, lobster, prawn and rockfish.

Similar direct-to-consumer fish markets also exist in Newport Beach, San Pedro, Ventura and Santa Barbara.

Will Oceanside Harbor have a fish market of its own? A lot still has to happen. The commercial fishermen behind the idea still have to finalize a plan, which would then have to be presented to the Oceanside Harbors & Beaches Advisory Committee. The committee only has the power to make recommendations; should the committee support the idea of a fish market at Oceanside Harbor, it would send the proposal over to the City Council for a final vote.

The Log will expand coverage of this proposal in an upcoming issue, complete with whatever has been fleshed out to date and perspectives of what could be on deck.

9 thoughts on “Fish market could be on deck for Oceanside Harbor

  • July 21, 2020 at 9:54 am
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    This is a wonderful idea for Oceanside! I remember my mother going down to get fish at the Newport Beach Dory Fisherman’s Market back in the 90s! She brought back salmon and swordfish wrapped in newspaper! Fresher than fresh! Let’s go for it! Dr. C

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    • July 22, 2020 at 4:21 pm
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      I love the idea!my wife and I are Southern California natives and we’ve lived here in Oceanside since 1983 !we say do it!

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    • August 9, 2020 at 5:48 pm
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      I look forward to seeing expanded coverage on this proposal. I’m all for it. A limited schedule seems to be just another jewel in the crown of Oceanside and San Diego County generally. It seems to be a good idea. I’d like to learn more about the offering. Boating and sea education is really important so is fresh food that supports tourism, local eatery options and economically invested local fisher-people. This could be a good chapter in the Oceanside story!

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  • July 21, 2020 at 10:21 am
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    I think this is an amazing idea!! It would help local fisherman, create additional jobs and revenue for the city, supply Oceanside residents and tourists with FRESH fish!!! Currently we have to drive about an hour to SD or purchase from a very small, select few restaurants that offer fresh fish.
    Just the thought of this makes me happy! I definitely recommend and support this idea.. We need this!!! PLEASE… Oceanside Harbors and Beach Advisory Committee, Support and Recommend this!!! Our city NEEDS this!!! Thank you in advance.
    Christopher Caserta
    Oceanside resident since 82’

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    • July 21, 2020 at 11:05 pm
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      WOW! What a great idea! Coordinate it with Thursday’s downtown market and the public could be rest assured of “Fresh” fish!

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  • July 21, 2020 at 9:44 pm
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    Yes… youll fit right in.. Especially after this COVIC …. Will all be out to TO EAT…
    Wishing you the BEST..

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  • July 22, 2020 at 7:02 am
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    Finally! We need a fish market badly! This is going to be a great asset to our community! Driving to San Diego to get fresh fish is such a pain with the traffic and it’s getting worse. Therefore, having our own fish market will be a plus for our city.

    Reply

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