It was a very different and amazing season. The catch started off very slow. It was not that there were no fish, we could see the fish on our electronics and there were LOTS of them. But they were deep and would not come up. As you may know we fish with hook and line by surface troll method which means the fish have to be on the surface in order for them to see our hooks. Not on the surface? Can’t see the hooks, we don’t catch them no matter how many are in the water column below us.

So, catch was slow to start but markets were GOOD! We experience what can be called a “perfect storm” of market conditions…The earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami wiped out Japans inventory of albacore (and every other tuna) along with much of their fleet, so there was that. Then the rest of the worlds catch was down in most areas as was ours as I mentioned above. And local/domestic demand is growing by leaps and bounds! All of these conditions added up to create demand that skyrocketed prices to as much as DOUBLE historic highs!

Then, when it seemed we would have to settle for a mediocre season, even with the high price, the fish came up and boy was it something. It was some of the best fishing I have ever seen. The ocean erupted with life and it was like watching the Discovery Channel through my wheelhouse windows: Whales, Dolphins, bait fish birds. Lots of birds! Lots of everything. It was really a show! And the fish bit and kept biting into November.

The good news is Oregon Albacore Tuna and Sacred Sea in particular is getting the recognition it deserves. The bad news is the cost to you has gone up. But let’s look at the cost of Sacred Sea Albacore Tuna compared to other sources of animal protein.

I just searched for “premium cut of beef” and was directed to Kansas City Steak Co. Where I found 6-6 ounce cuts of beef for $79.95 or $13.33 for each 6 ounce steak. Now don’t get me wrong I enjoy a piece of good beef and I take nothing away from the beef industry BUT, unless you are going to go to a lot of trouble and research organic sources of beef and pay even more you are going to get a dose of growth hormones, antibiotic, pesticides, herbicides and etc, etc.

Then there is Sacred Sea Albacore Tuna…as pure as you can get on mother earth; No additives, no fillers nothing but fish and a pinch of sea salt, for about half the cost. Oh yeah, then there are the omega 3 benefits in albacore as opposed to what we all know beef has to offer. I’m just saying, if you are going to spend more than burger meat prices why not go with something as tasty and healthy as Sacred Sea Premium Fillets canned in their natural juices.

So, I hope you all had as great of a summer as we did on the Peso II and I, the crew and our families wish you all a safe, warm and healthy winter.

Captain Rick, Fishing Vessel Peso II

Ingredients:
2, 6 ounce cans Sacred Sea Tuna
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) chicken broth, preferably low-sodium or salt-free style
1 cup diced new potatoes
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 cup chopped onions,
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup low-fat milk
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions:
In medium saucepan, mix broth with 1 can of water.

Add potatoes and simmer until tender. Remove cooked potatoes from broth, reserving liquid. Puree cooked potatoes with 1/4 cup broth. Return with remaining broth to pot. Add thyme, basil, and vegetables. Simmer until vegetables are almost tender.

Before serving, stir in chunked albacore and milk and heat to serving temperature without boiling. Sprinkle with parsley just before serving.

There were about 15 people in attendance in the back-seating area of Artemis Foods.  It was an eclectic bunch: Ages from about two years old and up and included a couple who should, by now, be heading for Alaska to work in their seafood processing jobs for the season. I had a few video clips and photos running as a loop while I talked with the diners about Sacred Sea Tuna…How we catch them, how we handle them on board the Peso II and how we process them. The group asked a lot of thoughtful questions giving me great segues into issues like mercury and why Sacred Sea Tuna is a safe ,healthy choice. We even talked about recent concerns regarding radiation and the fact that the fish we catch off Oregon don’t go to Japan even though we fish in what is referred to as the “Japanese Current”.

Then Grace prepared a really tasty Sacred Sea Tuna Risotto explaining each step and talking about the ingredients.

Everyone got a taste. Okay, I had seconds it was so good.  The dish highlighted  Graces imagination and how versatile Sacred Sea Tuna is.

Thanks to all of the Artemis family ( including Sarah who is apparently camera shy) for their hospitality and graciousness.

And Thanks to Julia for the photos and pending comments I know she has been waiting to post.