Fresh Flounder       
The raw material market remains firm as fishing continues to be sporadic within NJ and VA. As the weather improves, so will fishing. Current inventory consists of trawl caught product harvested in Barnegat Light, NJ.
      
Porgies           
Strong landings in NJ and MD have created a stable market. No issues with weekend availability.
Current inventory consists of trawl caught product harvested in Point Pleasant, NJ.
          
Black Bass        
The soft market continues as raw material is abundant harvested via multiple gear types. Current inventory consists of pot/trap caught product harvested in Ocean City, MD (F/V Skilligalee & F/V Integrity).
       
Monkfish         
Slight increase this week as we inch closer to the holidays. Current inventory consists of day boat trawl caught product harvested in Boston, MA.
 
Hake         
Consistent landings in the north have brought the market back down to an affordable fillet. No issue with weekend availability. Current inventory consists of trawl caught product harvested in Boston, MA.
           
Blue Catfish    
Northern Chesapeake Bay fishing is increasing as local blue crab season is officially closed. The Southern Chesapeake Bay rivers are slowly drying up as the fish move to deeper waters.
  
Wild Red Drum   
BRAND NEW from Galveston, TX!
 
Wild Striped Bass 
Local 5/8’s continue to be the main size harvested; 2/4’s and 8+’s continue to be second and third, respectively. VA pound net fishers are beginning to harvest larger fish when the wind allows. 5/8 market has softened due to increased landings.
 
Mahi:       
Steady market to begin the week. Steady flow of incoming product as fishing continues to be strong in Central and South American.
 
 Farmed Salmon      
·  Canada pricing has come down slightly as all major farms are gearing up for the holidays.
·  Europe- Iceland – we have seen an increase this week and will see a larger one next week as we get closer to the holidays.
·  Ora king- Fish has loosened up on availability, pricing stable.
·  Chile – Pricing has increased over the weeks in Pre-cut fillet and will continue to we move to the holidays.
·  Verlasso- ASC- Sustainably raised- These whole fish prices continue to remain low, but a small increase has begone.
 
Grouper:     
Imports: Strong fishing in Brazil over the weekend. Plenty of availability.
  
Domestics: Consistent red grouper market. No availability issues for weekend sales. Current inventory consists of long line caught product harvested in Cortez, FL (F/V Liberty Belle).
 
Snappers:     
Strong landings in The Gulf, both domestic and Mexican, the past 3-4 days. All sizes available for weekend sales!
 
Atlantic Halibut
We typically see elevated pricing through the end of the year due to increased demand and decreased availability. As Canadian availability wanes, so the Norwegian availability waxes, and so on until the end of the year when the Norwegian season ends.
 
Sablefish, aka Black Cod
Boats are due within the next couple of days, until then we will wait and offer our frozen fillets which are available year-round.
 
Lakefish – Walleye, White Perch, & White Bass
White perch and White Bass are arriving from Lake Erie, Canada. Walleye is arriving multiple times per week right now, get them while they are ice cold! There is low quota left in the 2025 season compared with years past, so pricing is expected to remain at or near this current level through the fall/winter season. We are expecting to have these items just up to the end of this month.
 
Hawaiian Kanpachi
Availability is low for the remainder of the year due to a decrease in biomass growth this past season.
 
Smoked Products & Tinned Seafood
A huge breadth of options awaits your choosing. Talk to your account manager about your holiday needs in advance rather than sweating it out to the last minute.
Featured this week:
Ducktrap Retail Packs
Traditional (SMKB04, SMSPF4, SMSN01, SMSC04)
Pepper & Garlic (SMSWP4)
Pastrami (SMSPL4)
4oz packs from Belfast, ME
 
Chesapeake Smokehouse Smoked Trout
Hand made in small batches in Annapolis, MD
SMTF08

Caviar
We are stocking a wide variety of options for any application, from the most premium Osetra and beluga hybrid to affordable garnishes, in any size tin or jar. Check out all the on-hand and special-order options available to you by consulting with your account manager.
Featured this week:
Hackleback Sturgeon, 1 oz tin
Wild, domestic
CAVH01
 
Italian Classic Siberian, 28g tin
Sustainably raised in Italy
CAVSC1
 
Dynasty Royal Osetra, 1oz jar
Sustainably raised in China
CAVOKI

Live Lobster
With Canadian zones open and fishing in full swing, the live trade market is flush with inventory. Domestic catch volumes have also remained strong as we move into mid-December. This scenario has created price structures that are favorable for the Holiday season. We should see market stability moving forward unless fishing is interrupted due to climate weather. This will allow supermarkets and other major volume users to run Holiday specials.
‍
Molluscs
Oysters
Tis’ the shucked oyster season! Excellent pricing and fresh options available all throughout the holidays.
Featured this week:
Silver Bell Oysters
Wellfleet, MA
OYS300

‍Always on Feature and only at JJ McDonnell:
Skinny Dipper & Huckleberry Oysters
St Jerome’s Creek, MD
OYS200 & OYS060
For the best shell quality, quintessential Chesapeake flavor, and the cleanest oyster in town, choose Skinny Dippers for your printed menus. Always fresh and in stock! For a cocktail option, Huckleberry is a perfectly plump cocktail, and fun fact, they are the same age as a Skinny Dipper! Some oysters just never reach the size of a full, select oyster.
 
Happy Oysters
Northern Neck, VA
OYS250
Sweetgrass and butter with just enough brine and a clean finish. Tidal surges create a perfect environment for healthy, happy oysters!
 
Salt Buoy Oysters
Brockatonorton Bay, MD
OYS245
All the salt you would expect from Maryland’s Atlantic coast, with a crab-like sweetness to finish. Float-raised cocktail shells are perfect for easy shucking.
 
Fortune Oysters
Wine Harbour, Eastern Nova Scotia
OYS218
A pop of salt from the North Atlantic! Smooth, salty, savory, and sweet meats in clean, solid, choice shells.

Domestic Shrimp
Prices remain mostly the same. 2 good shipping weeks b4 Christmas. My advice is stay ahead!

Frozen Mahi
Market snapshot
·Prices: Slightly higher than in the last two weeks; trading remains quiet
·Peru (South): Predominantly small fish available
·Ecuador: Larger sizes showing up, but volumes are very limited.
·Central America: Still not seeing enough fish to begin freezing.
Supply dynamics
·The Peruvian government has extended the giant squid fishery through year-end. As a result, many vessels are continuing to target squid (closer to shore, more abundant, and more profitable) rather than switching to Mahi. This is keeping Mahi supply constrained near term.
Outlook
·December: Expect slow landings and tight availability.
·January–February: Landings should improve as effort shifts back to Mahi.