April 2, 2018 — Unalaska is America’s fish capital. More seafood is hauled into Dutch Harbor than anywhere in the country, but for residents it’s not easy to find fresh fish unless they catch it themselves.
At the local grocery stores even seafood caught in the Aleutians is exported before landing in freezer cases. But it’s getting a little easier to get locally caught seafood on the dinner table.
It doesn’t happen often in Unalaska, but fishermen can sell their catch directly to customers. If you’re imagining a fish market, wipe away that image.
Buying fresh seafood means going directly to a boat like Roger Rowland’s. On a weekday in January people like Rubi Warden are crowding onto the dock to pick out tanner crab.
“Can you help me to carry it to my truck?” Warden asked.” “I’m buying $400 worth for three families.”
Warden and her daughter Pia are buying 48 crab. She’ll serve some of it to her parents when they visit from Hawaii.
Local crab hasn’t been sold on the dock in two years.
This is Rowland’s second time selling crab this season. The first time they took pre-orders, but today anyone can buy. It’s $12 a crab or 12 for $100.
“This year they’re very nice, very big,” Rowland said. “It’s really encouraging to see the really nice product.”
Selling fish off a boat doesn’t involve too much paperwork. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game requires a catcher seller permit to be completed along with a $25 processing fee.