What seafood will I get?
You will get the best seafood the Santa Barbara Channel has to offer: swordfish, sheephead, black cod, white seabass, king salmon, halibut, lingcod, ridgeback shrimp, rockfish, cabazon, opah, rock crab, yellowtail, mussels, oysters, squid …and more! Unless otherwise stated, all of our fish will come filleted and all of our shellfish will come whole. For a complete list of the types of seafood you can expect in your share be sure to check out the Our Catch page. Also, a running list of all the seafood from previous shares can be found on our Seafood of the Week page. The seafood you receive will be fresh, local and sourced directly from the fishermen who caught it.
When will I know what I am getting?
We will post as soon as possible on the Seafood of the Week page and you will receive a weekly newsletter with information on the type of seafood, who caught it and where it was caught. While we will attempt to provide a schedule in advance, we will be at the mercy of the environment and substitutions may be necessary.
How much seafood will I get?
Typically, a half pound fillet serves 1 person and most seafood will keep for 2-3 days in the refrigerator or can be frozen. For increased clarity, our share types are titled with the amount of seafood you’ll receive (e.g. half pound share, one pound share…). On weeks that we get shellfish or smaller fish, the share sizes will be automatically doubled at no extra cost to you. You can change your share type at any time; increasing it to throw a party or decreasing it to accommodate your busy life. You can also choose a weekly or bi-weekly (every other week) delivery schedule.
When and where can I pick up my share?
We have many pickup locations including Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and more. Check out our Join Now page for all the current options!
What do I do if I can’t take my seafood due to travel or extenuating circumstances?
Don’t worry…every member has unlimited delivery holds! The more advanced notice you give us, the more likely we’ll be able to accommodate your schedule. You can manage your own vacation holds and read more information about this feature on our Membership Manager page. If you can’t pick-up your seafood on any given week and don’t have prior notification, it is your responsibility to coordinate with another member or friend to pick-up your seafood for you. Since we are a “no waste” business, our policy is that if we’ve already purchased the seafood for your share that week, you are responsible for it. Alternatively, shares of seafood make great gifts!
What if I don’t know what to do with the seafood I receive?
Every week we send out an extensive newsletter with two featured recipes that are specific for the type of fish in your share. You can either choose to follow the recipe to the letter or take us up on some of our alterations and substitution suggestions! We will also provide more recipes and preparation instructions and videos on our Recipes and Tips page.
What other benefits are there of joining?
By joining Community Seafood, you will receive the “Catch of the Day” from local fishermen. You will know who caught your seafood, where it was caught, how it was caught and when it was caught. We will provide information on the species of seafood, health benefits, a short bio of the fisherman and his/her vessel and a description of the techniques and tools that were used to catch your seafood. We plan on providing opportunities to meet the fishermen, take cooking classes, and socialize at barbecues. All in all, you’re getting informed about where your food comes from, shortening your personal food chain, supporting your local economy, and getting a great source of local protein!
