Longstanding Seafood Company Changes Hands and Makes Plans to Expand | Eater San Diego

"Founded more than 40 years ago by sea urchin diver Dave Rudie, Catalina Offshore Products Inc. began as a sea urchin wholesaler that helped launch and sustain demand for local sea urchins—supplying sushi bars and restaurants—and has since evolved into one of the largest distributors of seafood from San Diego and Baja, now operating a wholesale division alongside an online store and a walk-in fish market. Rudie will continue to lend his expertise to marine research and seafood policy and still dive for sea urchins. The company was sold to Beish, whose stakeholders include longtime fishmongers Kathy and Dave Strangman of San Diego Seafood and cattle rancher Jose Chacon, and it will be managed by Chacon and the Strangmans’ children, Brittany and Tanner. Beyond maintaining Catalina’s legacy, the new operators plan to offer beef from Chacon’s ranch in Sonora in the online store and on-site market, remodel the fish market next spring or early summer, obtain an off-premise beer, wine, and liquor license and a tasting license for in-store events, and launch a food truck serving a rotating seasonal menu featuring their seafood and beef products." - Candice Woo