Processing that Makes the Difference

Some people think that "fresh" is the best kind of seafood, but ask yourself how fresh that fresh fish really is, and where is it from? No farm raised or net caught fish can match our quality.

On the Ocean Oasis, we carefully clean and inspect each fish before they are quick-frozen to -40 (?-50°F) degrees as soon as they are brought on board. The flash-freeze method preserves the delicate cell structure and keeps moisture inside the fish.

"Alaska salmon grows wild in the clean, cold Gulf of Alaska waters – no hormones, no artificial colors. To capture this quality and deliver it to your table, our private fisherman, Mark Hofmann, processes the salmon on his boat, quick freezes it and ships it directly to us. It’s the freshest salmon you can get short of a trip to Alaska!" —Tommy's Gourmet Market and Wine Emporium, Duck, North Carolina

Once the fish are located they are lured into biting with spoons, bright flashers, herring or plugs. They are brought to the surface one at a time where they are carefully landed, cleaned and pressure bled. Pressure bleeding is the key to producing the finest gourmet quality fish.

A hose is cut at an angle then placed over the knuckle area of the spine gently forcing water through the vascular system forcing virtually all blood from the entire fish. The removal of the blood ensures the fish will keep its fresh caught flavor and quality as well as extending shelf life.

Fish are then placed into the refrigerated -50°F fish hold and are met with a combination of blast freeze and Dole contact freezer plates. Once placed on the freezer plates it is only minutes before the fish are rock hard and are then glazed in clean saltwater twice.

This quick freeze method preserves the delicate cell structure, keeping the moisture inside the fish and the glazing prevents freezer burn. When thawed, our fish is just as it came out of the water, beautiful!

Our method of harvest, care in cleaning, pressure bleeding and quick freezing within the hour of landing are unequaled. This process cannot be matched by any net fishery or farm/pen raised seafood.

Alaska seafood is the natural choice: wholesome, healthy and delicious. Our commitment is to provide only the finest gourmet quality Alaskan seafood that the ocean produces.