GFC

Rhonda and Jim have each devoted their professional lifetime to fishing and are permanent residents of Seward with strong statewide networks in the seafood harvest and marketing communities.   Their Fishing Vessel Kruzof is homeported in Seward (in Southcentral Alaska).  The 59.5 foot freezer/longliner is a state of the art harvester/processor with automated baiting and sorting/grading systems.     The family owned and operated business is staffed with 5-7 Alaskan resident professionals for a nearly year round operation.    

J&R Fisheries and the F/V Kruzof stands out as somewhat unique because their home port region of Alaska is surrounded by some of the finest commercial salmon fisheries of Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet.      Yet the primary product of the F/V Kruzof is Sablefish (Black Cod) and Halibut. The gear, the fisheries, permitting, seasonality, etc. are all significantly different then its salmon counterparts and you get the sense that this is a major commercial fishing operation from the moment you step on the vessel.    Sablefish is caught, headed & gutted, size graded then rinsed on board. Product is panned up and put in the contact plate freezer within 4-6 hours of harvest.  Product freezes to a -20 degree core temperature within 4-6 hours.   Halibut is generally sold fresh.  The Kruzof also harvests and markets a modest amount of Rockfish, LingCod and Pacific Cod.  

J&R Fisheries (the operations, distribution and marketing arm) works year round to establish markets for the F/V Kruzof product.    Sablefish, a product that historically was purchased and consumed for Southeast Asia markets has a growing market in the United States and Canada.    As someone who has grown up fishing and now marketing Alaska seafood, Rhonda works with chef's and commercial buyers on what she believes to be the competitive advantage of Sablefish.     Yet, one thing she cautions is that preparation is key and best served - just barely seared.  (I've seen the proof and am now part of the converted).   Rhonda offers up her own recipes that will no doubt impress Black Cod neophytes and veterans alike.    She calls it he ultimate healthy "fast food", but also makes the point that there is also great value in Sablefish as a center of the plate solution.    "As families and businesses look for options of nutritious alternatives, I would hope they would try Alaskan Sablefish.   In fact, Rhonda says, I would like to work with more Alaskan restaurants and food service operators who would like to feature new menu items for their patrons.     It is a healthy, sustainable Alaska seafood product with good flavor and value.   Why not?" 

We're sure you'll find many other ways J&R Fisheries stands out, but it is our observation that you have the best of both worlds.  A professional commercial harvesting and processing operation that is family operated and directly accountable to their customers for the quality of their product. 

Go out on the Gulf yourself and hear Rhonda describe the process in greater detail on the video link below. 

J&R Fisheries Video

Or, explore their website, but be careful it is rather engaging and you might lose track of time.  There is lots to read and learn and definitely should be bookmarked to stay current on next seasons fisheries.    You will note in the Captains Log that the F/V Kruzof was recently filmed by National Geographic, so stay tuned to see the adventure on screen, soon.

Gulf of Alaska Sablefish  (menu item)
Gulf of Alaska Sablefish, Frozen at Sea by the F/V Kruzof.   Sablefish
is broiled with a ginger soy glaze.  Velvety texture, richest in Omega 3's.
Provided by J&R Fisheries, Seward
Complete GFA 2007 Menu here

When you call, ask Rhonda about Smoked Sablefish options for your restaurant of food service needs.    You can bet that someone with a lifetime fishing, cooking and marketing seafood, she can be very helpful in differentiating your business using her Alaskan Sablefish.

Rhonda Hubbard, Principal
Wholesale Orders
J&R Fisheries
Telephone: 907-224-5584
Kruzof Fisheries, LLC
PO Box 3302
Seward, AK 99664