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 VaughnSource:
Ron Gauthier, Ocean Harvest Market
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.