Meet the Fishermen: | Local Fish

Andy Saraspe

F/V Sarah Renee

Andy Saraspe is a second-generation fisherman based in San Diego. He’s been on the water since childhood and fishing professionally for over 50 years. Known for his dedication to delivering the freshest catch to local communities, Andy has set a standard of excellence in the industry for decades.

Charles Saraspe

Charlie's Seafood

Charlie is a third-generation commercial fisherman, born and raised in San Diego, California. He’s been on the water since childhood, learning the trade from his family and building a career that spans a wide range of local fisheries. From Spot Prawn and Spiny Lobster to Rockfish, Crab, and Bluefin Tuna, Charlie targets the best of what Southern California waters have to offer. Read our interview with Charlie here.

Darian Schramm

Paramount Fish

Darian Schramm is a local fisherman with a focus on delivering his catch back to the San Diego community. He works closely with community-supported fisheries, co-ops and farmers’ markets to increase high-quality seafood accessibility across our inland areas. His main focus is on species that are widely-available and affordable; helping to make fresh and local fish within reach to more people across San Diego county. Read our interview with Darian here.

Ryan Sebo

Seabo Seafood

Ryan is a next-generation commercial fisherman based out of San Diego. His focus is mainly on Bluefin, Swordfish, Halibut, Yellowtail and White Seabass. Ryan is committed to delivering the highest quality products caught in the most sustainable methods to better serve our local community. Read our interview with Ryan here.

"Elmo" Dave Stephens

Treses Seafood

Elmo is a lifelong Point Loma fisherman who began working on sportfishing boats as a teenager and earned his commercial captain’s license by sixteen. Over the decades, he has run charter and commercial vessels across Southern California and Mexico, specializing in species such as albacore, lobster, sea urchin, and sea cucumber.Elmo is also deeply involved in promoting sustainable practices, high-quality seafood handling, and creative seafood preparation, sharing his knowledge of local fisheries and passion for responsible harvesting with chefs and the community.

James Strait

F/V Ruby Louise & F/V Veronica B

With over 30 years on the water, James Strait has dedicated his life to fishing the California coast. Raised in San Diego for the past 40 years, he got his start as a young kid working on sport boats before serving in the military. After his service, he returned to the sea—this time as a commercial fisherman. Throughout his career, James has fished for everything from lobster and spot prawn shrimp to mackerel, tuna, and yellowtail. But if you ask him, his favorite catches will always be white seabass and sand dabs. A lifelong waterman with deep roots in the local fishing community, James takes pride in providing fresh, sustainable seafood straight from the source.

Howard Strech

Howie is a next-generation fisherman based out of North County. He serves on the advisory committee at Local Fish and is committed to creating change within the industry. Read our interview with Howie here.

Shane Volberding

Shane's Seafoods

Shane is known for his meticulous handling of local Mackerel and Sardines. Rather than treating them like baitfish, he stores them vertically, packs them with care, and handles them gently to avoid bruising. His approach has reinvigorated the fishery, bringing a delicious, high-quality product to market that’s prized by both consumers and restaurant chefs. In addition to small pelagics, Shane targets Yellowtail, Bluefin, and the occasional small shark. You can find him most Saturdays at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market.

Eric Z

Cali Fish Co.

Born and raised on the coast of Orange County, Eric Z has been immersed in the fishing industry since childhood. At just six years old, he got his start working on sportfishing boats, and when he wasn’t on the water, he spent his summers helping out at a local fish market right across from his grandma’s house. After high school, Eric took on a full-time role at the market while working through school. It was there that he saw firsthand how imported seafood dominated the shelves, often at the expense of fresher, locally caught options. Frustrated by the demand for low-quality imports, he made the jump into commercial fishing, balancing his time between the docks and the fish counter. Now, as the captain of F/V Ike Jime, Eric is dedicated to bringing high-quality, local seafood straight from California waters to chefs, restaurants, and consumers who care about sourcing transparency and sustainability.