Shipping fish from BC

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:36 am Post subject: Shipping fish from BC

We hope to celebrate our 30th anniversary in Victoria - possibly in June. I would love to bring or ship some Halibut home with us. Some questions re. this.

1/ I have heard of shipping fish frozen in an insulated container surrounded with a salt ice mix.

2/ Would I get a commercial shipper or could this be brought on the airplane with luggage?

3/ I assume I would need to keep a receipt for it from a legitimate fish monger to proof I had not poached it.

4/ When would they be in season in BC?

5/ Good place to buy fresh fish near Victoria?

If anybody can give any suggestions/advise re. this I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Rob

Peter & Judy · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:15 am Post subject:

I've brought fish home from Newfoundland back to Alberta, via Air Canada without a problem. I just put it in a cooler and checked it as luggage. That was back in 2000, but I don't think you should have problems if you are not crossing an international border. Bring your store receipt if you are worried about being checked for poaching.

A funny thing happened at the airport security on our return trip from Newfoundland. Remember this was year 2000, pre 911. The only question we were asked at security before boarding security was; "Do you have any Salt Beef in your luggage." I answered "no, why." The security officer replied, "Because it make a mess of everyone's luggage when it leaks in the planes luggage compartment," Salt Beef is the comfort food of Newfoundland, it is basically chunks of beef in a salt brine packed in 1 gallon pails. There are a lot of Newfies in working in Alberta's Oilfields and I guess is was common practice to pack a pail of Salt Beef in your luggage to take home so you could enjoy a 'Jiggs Dinner' on the prairie.

rogerbum · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:46 am Post subject:

If you're buying if from a commercial operation, I don't think you need anything other than the receipt to prove it's a legitimately purchased fish. If you buy fresh, I don't think you want a salt ice mix as if that comes in contact with the fish (failed seal on a bag), it can flavor the fish. If you buy frozen, vacuum packed, it will easily stay frozen for the duration of a typical flight if you just wrap it in a few layers of newspaper. If you buy fresh, it can stay cold for the flight if it's packaged with ice and similarly wrapped. Halibut should be available that time of year in Victoria. The recreational season runs most all of the year, the commercial season in BC runs from 11 March – 7 November, 2017 (or until the quota is caught). They'll still be fishing in June. "Finest at Sea" is a pretty good fish seller and they have an operation in Victoria (27 Erie St). I'm sure they will know all that is needed in regards to packaging fish for your flight. It might be easiest to just give them a call - (250) 383-7760.

BTW - while you are there, if they have some in stock, also buy some spot prawns. They are better than any other kind of prawns (taste more like lobster).

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:46 am Post subject:

The only "issue" I've ever had was with a customs agent in the states when we entered on a small float plane. As we unpacked the fish, he claimed that we were over our limit. ??? Apparently he fished locally in Seattle and didn't have any idea of possession limits, processed frozen fish, B.C. fishing regulations, or the fact that he was U.S. Customs, not Washington Fish and Game.

If you fish with a commercial guide, they will know where you can get the fish packaged and flash frozen. Commercial airlines are used to seeing frozen fish, packed in 60# boxes, as part of their regular "luggage." The processing house will deliver the boxes 1/2 hour before flight time. SeaTac has a special frozen locker if your connection is overnight or longer. Otherwise, I've had friends fly Sitka to Raleigh, NC without a problem. The boxes are commonly frozen fish wrapped in mylar bubble insulation inside of a heavy plastic bag and a heavily waxed cardboard box held closed with nylon strapping. They would probably stay frozen for 3 days.

Transport is not a problem, so we concentrate on other issues. One of them is package size. With just my wife and I, we tell the packing house 12 oz packages. Otherwise you may end up with every package being fish for four. Much nicer to get out two packages when necessary. The other is luggage. If you can live out of a carry on day pack for your fishing trip, you get to use your luggage allowance for fish. Usually worth it.

And good luck getting back with halibut cheeks. It's never happened for me. I suspect that those end up in Seattle restaurants. The only time I've got to eat them is when I cut them out myself and took them with me, now my standard practice.

Mark

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:48 am Post subject:

Oh, I didn't see that you were going to buy halibut. I've never done that, but I don't think it would be a problem.

Mark

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:58 pm Post subject:

Roger, thanks for the name - I checked out their website and sent them an email. Will definitely eat there when we visit. They say they will ship FedEx anywhere in Canada.

Peter and Mark, thanks for the ideas/suggestions.

Much appreciated

Rob

kaelc · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:17 pm Post subject:

I second Roger's recommendation Finest at Sea is a huge supporter of the Pacific Salmon Foundation and their seafood is amazing!

I researched WestJet checking fish in my a cooler when I was in Hawaii in November and it was pretty basic, just use dry ice (the amount they required) and a cooler.

One alternative is to see if a charter like "No Bananas" or "Blue Wolf" are able to do a halibut trip for you while you are here. If you are lucky and get two 30 pound halibut a half day charter will be cheaper then buying at the store.

Happy Anniversary!

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:22 pm Post subject:

Kaelc, thanks for the info!

We ended up not making it to Victoria last summer and this summer it looks like a no go as well. We are hoping maybe 2019. Its still on the bucket list!!

Regards Rob

mabelleste · Joined: 07 May 2018 Posts: 1

I am not sure where is the best place to buy a fresh fish! However, I think that you can ask local farmers!

rafay · Joined: 29 Aug 2019 Posts: 1

nickmiller · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:16 am Post subject:

Thanks, guys! That's very helpfull

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:51 am Post subject:

In many area once fish are processed - frozen, canned etc....they are not part of your limit any longer even if you are fishing. Once processed, fish just become food. I've never had any issue going across the border into the Canada and into the lower 48 with frozen or canned sport caught salmon, halibut, clams, spot shrimp, moose, caribou sausage, or anything else. There was no receipt because you don't get one when you don't buy them...obviously....I'd keep yours just to be on the safe side - you never know, but what you are doing is a very common thing. Now, grocery store items I have had issues with....romaine lettuce is very dangerous and I have had them take frozen chicken because somebody somewhere on earth caught salmonella from chicken and there was an alert. Pretty sure they took a tomato too once. Anyway, I've gone through the border many times and brought fish through airports and have never had any trouble.

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:45 am Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 2:38 pm Post subject:

nealmiller · Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 3:24 am Post subject:

Is there any ideas how to ship fresh fish to SD, because I hate frozen one