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Common Seas

Written by Tanner Saraspe, third generation San Diegan from a fishing family This week, a friend of mine, a good friend who runs a charter boat out of San Diego asked me something which I didn’t have an answer. We have been friends for years. We visited him in Thailand years ago on a whim

Six San Diego Restaurants Where You Can Eat Local Fish Right Now People are constantly asking us how they can support local fish when they don’t feel like cooking. The answer is easy, pick a restaurant that prioritizes putting local catch on the plate. We are delighted that so many restaurants support local and you

We’re in an El Niño System. What could that mean for San Diego’s Fishing Community? If you’ve lived in San Diego long enough, you’ve probably made it through an “El Niño” or two. While an El Niño system impacts the entire globe, it is measured by surface temperatures of the Pacific and ocean atmospheric conditions,

The Pacific Fishery Management Council met June 12–17, 2026 and if you fish groundfish or sablefish, a few things just changed that affect what you can legally bring in per trip. Here’s what matters for San Diego fishermen, no jargon, just the numbers. The official document with the Decision Summary is here. The big picture

Everything you need to legally sell fish commercially in California, from your first license to the two things that stall most fishermen right before a sale.

Paper logbooks get the job done, but they also mean filling out pages by hand on the water, keeping track of carbon copies, and remembering to mail everything in before the deadline. It’s one more thing to manage during an already busy trip, and it’s easy for paperwork to get delayed or misplaced. If you’d

Local Fish is built to support small-boat fishermen. We give you a more direct, transparent, and supported way to sell your catch in today’s market. Here’s what that looks like: Direct Access to Our Network of Buyers We connect you directly with a growing network of restaurants, chefs, and consumers who are actively seeking local

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed (*still awaiting senate and president) the reauthorization of the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, originally signed into law in 2021. Administered through NOAA and the Sea Grant program, this initiative provides funding to support emerging commercial fishermen and strengthen coastal economies. Commercial fishing in the United States is facing

Understanding California’s fish receiver rules for restaurants and seafood buyers.

Click here to view the full PDF

By Thomas Fies, Graduate Student Intern El Niño is the stuff of legends among fishermen in San Diego. Wahoo on the 9-mile bank, dorado on paddies, yellowfin tuna in abundance – the hype feeds itself. Stories of El Niño’s past stoke the fire and lend to the chatter any time the possibility arises. NOAA recently

If you are selling directly to a chef or restaurant, or smaller establishment for the first time, the invoice is usually necessary and a big part of establishing credibility.