Founded in 1985 by a professional Sea Urchin Diver, Catalina Offshore Products, based in San Diego, California, has become one of the largest proprietors of fresh California seafood in the world, shipping its delicious inventory to customers nationwide. From their high-quality Sushi-grade Fish to their can’t-miss member discounts, Catalina Offshore Products is a fine example of a superior seafood market site.
Standout Features
Since Catalina Offshore Products is situated in Southern California and is close to the Mexican Baja, they are able to procure an impressive array of seafood from the warm Pacific waters found in this part of the world. For Sushi lovers who enjoy making their own Sushi, Catalina Offshore Products is a dream come true. From Farmed Yellowtail Sashimi (Toro) and Fresh Water Eel (Unagi) to Sea Urchin roe and Abalone (Awabi), they are serious about their Sushi offerings. Other treasures such as the notoriously sweet California Spiny Lobster can be found at Catalina.
Catalina Offshore Products sells a variety of fresh and frozen seafood, with unique offerings in Sushi/Sashimi-grade Fish and California-derived products. Their Shellfish offerings include fresh and frozen California Spiny Lobsters (fresh available October - March; frozen year-round), Baja Stone Crab Claws, frozen Wild Abalone Meat and Steaks, fresh Diver Jumbo and Bay Scallops, Clams and fresh White Mexican Shrimp.
The Fresh Fish selection is vast. Their impressive selection includes Tuna, Yellowtail, Albacore, Swordfish, Salmon, Sea Bass, Grouper, Halibut, Snapper and Rock Cod. And if it’s Sushi ingredients you need, look no further. Their Sushi Fish selection includes tasty offerings like Tuna, Yellowtail, Salmon, Mackerel, Tilapia and Monkfish Liver. And their Sushi-grade Shellfish selection has everything from Scallops and Abalone to Soft Shell Crab and Squid. They also have a great selection of Roe (Sea Urchin Roe, Salmon Roe, Flying Fish Roe, Capelin Roe and Caviar.)
In addition to their Member’s Specials and the specials found in their monthly newsletters (more on this later), Catalina Offshore Products also features Weekly Specials on their main page. Specials like $8/lb for Fresh Yellowtail Fillets and $15/lb for Frozen California Spiny Lobsters are frequently available. If you’re interested in sending a gift certificate through Catalina, they offer both email and print options.
Their vast recipe selection includes recipes for nearly every type of seafood, including Sushi/Sashimi recipes for those new to making Sushi at home, including a recipe on the Perfect Sushi Rice to Chirashi (an assorted seafood bowl). Some of their standout recipes for their non-Sushi products include Herb Crusted Sea Bass With Garlic Chili Spinach, Portuguese Fried Octopus, Indonesian Salmon Grill and Sea Urchin Mousse.
Catalina Offshore Products offers a “Member’s Only” section that offers shoppers significant discounts on select items. Signing up is free and is an excellent way to save. Also, be sure to read their monthly newsletters (which will arrive to your inbox if you sign up for the Members-Only club). These newsletters contain discounted seafood up to 37% off, and even contains “free gift” specials if you purchase over a certain amount.
It’s not very often Sushi-grade Fish is found on an online seafood merchant’s site, but thanks to their background and location, Catalina Offshore Products offers what few other Seafood Market sites can. Whether it’s the Live Purple Sea Urchins your heart desires or fresh Swordfish, Catalina Offshore Products will give seafood lovers a newfound respect for Southern Californian seafood (all via FedEx Overnight). We are pleased to include this high-quality seafood proprietor among our top-rated sites.