Ocean Harvest Market: Bringing Fresh Florida Fish To Bradenton, Tampa Bay

Ocean Harvest Market in Bradenton opened its doors in April 2010. Founded by Ron Gauthier, commercial fisherman and charter boat captain and Mike Guccione, commercial fisherman, Ocean Harvest Market is committed to selling fresh fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico and local waters by area fisherman.

Within less than 30 days of opening, the BP oil spill tragedy threatened to reach the Gulf of Mexico coastline, pollute the waters and negatively impact sea life. All of this would serve as a threat to Ocean Harvest Market whose primary business comes from the Gulf.

Despite the oil spill situation, Gauthier says people know that his place is bringing them the freshest seafood they can. "We're not going to ever bring in anything bad. Quality is everything for us."

Ocean Harvest Market has started to prepare in case the oil spill reaches the Bay. Initially, the only seafood that was not from local waters is the Colossal Tiger Shrimp from Hawaii which is received daily by Ocean Harvest Market. They've begun outsourcing other seafood from Hawaii, Alaska and Mote Marine Lab.

Through a partnership with Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota, fresh sturgeon will be available at Ocean Harvest Market. Mote Marine raises sturgeon in what Gauthier describes as a quality, eco-friendly, crystal clear environment. Ocean Harvest Market will also receive caviar from Mote.

Chef Mark Baker, formerly of Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, will be preparing smoked sturgeon recipes, plus sashimi, ceviche, and take-and-bake dinners. Their raw-fish items will be some of the freshest available as it comes right off the boat.

In addition to fresh fish, Ocean Harvest Market is a bar-b-que house, and offers catering and charter rides on the boat.

The market will celebrate its grand opening on July 3rd with a crawfish boil and bar-b-que, using special sauce created by Gauthier and Guccione. Ocean Harvest Market is located at 5718 Manatee Ave. West in Bradenton; 941-795-3746.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Ron Gauthier, Ocean Harvest Market