Today we’d like to introduce you to Tuna Harbor Dockside Market.
Hello Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market is a fishermen’s market that inaugurated in 2015. After witnessing the demand for fresh and local seafood, various fishermen moved to pass the Pacific to Plate Bill, which allowed a fish market to be established on the Tuna Harbor Pier just outside of Seaport Village.
We are a market for the fishermen by the fishermen. Each Saturday, rain or shine, from 8 AM -2 PM (or sold out), you can find a number of San Diego fishing families selling their fresh catch. Species and availability will vary each weekend with seasonality, weather, quotas, etc. but our fishermen work to bring as much to the market as possible. We offer online ordering between 5 PM Thursday and 7 PM Friday, with a curbside pickup option on Saturdays.
We pride ourselves in reconnecting the fishing communities to the public and raising both an awareness and understanding of a locally caught seafood source. Year-round, Tuna Harbor Dockside Market offers a steady and dynamic supply of diverse, locally caught seafood.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Over the years we have worked to get San Diegans to understand that THDM is not like your average grocery store and availability can sometimes not meet the demand due to catch restrictions. Seasons change, quotas are met, and fishing does not always mean catching.
Another challenge we have faced is not having a permanent infrastructure for each market.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are most proud of how far we have come since 2015. Over the years we have continued to grow and expand the market. On average you can find up to 12 fishing families, all selling a variety of seafood from live sea urchin, crabs, and lobster, to tuna, halibut, and opah, just to name a few.
Each Saturday there is also a vendor that sells poke and ceviche using fresh fish from the fishermen,
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market stayed opened the entirety of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and we were able to continuously provide fresh seafood to the public.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
We are fully fishermen operated! The market is run by the fishermen, for the fishermen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thdocksidemarket.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tunaharbordocksidemkt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thdocksidemarket
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tunaharbordocksidemarket3670
Image Credits
James Tran
