Cowichan Bay Seafood

There have been lots of changes going into our space in Cowichan Bay. The building was essentially gutted and new insulation, flooring and equipment are now being installed in the space. We are most excited about the live tank for storing crab, prawns, and shellfish (oysters, clams and mussels). The tank has a sophisticated filter system, including biological filters which are critical for keeping the products at an optimum state. The result should be some of the freshest tasting and healthiest products on the island.

Right now we are aiming at opening up around the middle of March. We’ll hopefully ease into operation and are working hard to network with local fishermen over the next few weeks to seek out the best and most sustainable seafood in our region. In addition to fresh seafood, we’ll have a selection of smoked, cured and flash-frozen products. Many of these frozen products are exceptional, including our own salt-water block of spot prawns as well as albacore tuna, halibut loins and specialties like pacific octopus.

Cowichan Bay is emerging as a little culinary oasis on Vancouver Island, we boast many interesting food shops including the great True Grain Bakery and the wonderful cheese shop run by Patty and Hillary Abbott. Cowichan Bay is the first town in North America to be designated a Citta Slow site and proud to uphold the ideals of the Slow Food Movement. We are happy to be in such company and hope to add another fine dimension to your shopping visits to the Bay.

Just in time for Halibut season, the new seafood shop in Cowichan Bay has risen from the dust of renovation. Equipped with state-of-the-art live tanks for their own dungeness crab, the shop is ready to serve local customers who have waited patiently for the store to re-open.

Presently, we’re cutting up whole 10-20 lb Halibut, fresh from the docks to make some of the freshest halibut available on Vancouver Island. In addition, we try to keep our prices competitive, while offering the fishermen fair prices for their efforts at sea. In all things seafood – remember you get what you pay for – there is a wide range of quality and sources out there, you often find quick sales on frozen product from last years harvest or fish that needs to be sold quickly. We stand by our commitment to fair prices, quality and sustainability in our halibut and all products in the store.

Come by and check out our selection of products, we can try to source any local product for you if you give us a couple of days. Just remember that we deal in Ocean Wise and Sea Choice recommended fish and shellfish – so don’t even bother to ask for Chilean Toothfish (often marketed as sea bass), or sharks fin, or farmed salmon or ….

If you want the best value seafood from ethical and responsible merchants, come by and visit us.

Cowichan Bay Seafood

1751 Cowichan Bay Road

Cowichan Bay, BC, V0R 1N0

Anne and Gregg Best

Store phone: 250 748-0020

info@betterfishing.ca

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PAN-SEARED, SPICED PACIFIC HALIBUT

serves 2

2    100g pieces halibut (about 1/2 lb)

25 mL   olive oil (2 tbsp)

5 mL   hot sauce (1 tsp)

1   clove garlic, minced

5 mL  Five Spice Powder  (1 tsp)

salt and pepper to taste

wedge of lemon

On a plate, add the halibut and sprinkle with half of the oil and all of the hot sauce, garlic and five spice powder. Toss on the plate to coat the fish in the seasoning. In an non-stick pan, heat over medium heat and add the remaining oil (you can also add a little butter for flavour and colour). Saute the fish about 2-3 minutes per side (turn down the heat if it browns too quickly). When browned, remove from heat and allow to sit for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with the lemon juice before serving.

Serve with rice, potatoes or salad, along with your favourite vegetables for a healthy and balanced meal.