Pioneer Seafoods, a well-known local seafood provider, has been compelled to relocate its operations from Redwood City after the Port of Redwood City terminated its permit. The owner of Pioneer Seafoods, Giuseppe Pennisi, used his 76-foot trawler, The Pioneer, as a base for selling fresh-caught fish directly to customers. This move to Richmond puts the future of this direct-to-consumer enterprise in question, according to Pennisi.
The Port of Redwood City has announced that a new commercial fishing tenant will be taking Pioneer Seafoods’ place in the coming weeks. Kristine Zortman, the port’s executive director, also mentioned that The Blue Fish Kitchen food truck at the port will continue its operations, with hours available on Yelp.
Pioneer Seafoods had been operating at the port under a pilot program with a month-to-month permit. According to Zortman, Pioneer Seafoods had not been selling fish since February 2022 and was deemed to no longer be providing a public benefit. She stated that the port had not received a clear explanation for the halt in sales. However, she clarified that Pioneer Seafoods could still sell fish at the port as a “transient vessel” if they provide 48-hour notice and meet all regulatory requirements.
Pioneer Seafoods' trawler, The Pioneer, docked in Redwood City, now relocated to Richmond due to permit termination.
Pennisi explained that his inability to fish was due to a complicated hernia injury. He recounted being informed that inactivity would lead to the termination of his permit. Given only three weeks to vacate, Pioneer Seafoods has now moved to Sugar Dock in Richmond. Unfortunately for Pennisi’s business model, fish sales are not permitted at this new location.
As the owner of Pioneer Seafoods, Pennisi is deeply involved in every aspect of the operation. He is not just the captain but also a crew member, actively participating in the physically demanding work, from handling fish boxes to moving heavy equipment on deck. This hands-on involvement has become increasingly challenging with his ongoing injury.
Even before his injury, running Pioneer Seafoods was a demanding endeavor. Since August 2020, when he started selling directly to customers and operating The Blue Fish Kitchen food truck, Pennisi, a Chico resident, aimed for about three fishing trips per month, each lasting four to five days. He faced numerous challenges, including unpredictable weather, fluctuating fuel costs, and stringent regulations, such as the requirement to carry a paid federal observer onboard. These factors significantly narrowed profit margins in an already physically taxing and risky profession.
“I don’t think a lot of people realized how stressful that was,” Pennisi shared, highlighting the hidden pressures of running a small-scale commercial fishing business. He noted the drastic decline of the Bay Area’s commercial fishing fleet during his career. From over 50 boats to now being one of the few remaining, Pennisi has witnessed the industry’s struggles firsthand. “My whole life I’ve been pushed from one harbor to the next,” he lamented, reflecting on the constant battles for survival in the fishing industry.
Pennisi’s fishing career began in Monterey, following in the footsteps of his third-generation fisherman heritage. He navigated numerous hurdles, moving his business to Moss Landing and then San Francisco, where securing permits took five years. “The sad thing is, there’s nobody else,” Pennisi said, expressing concern about the future of the profession. “It’s not like I can pass this knowledge on to anyone.”
While based in Redwood City, Pioneer Seafoods fished in the waters between Monterey Bay and the Farallon Islands, typically 20 to 40 miles offshore. Their catch included species like rockfish, sole, and sablefish, popular choices for local seafood enthusiasts.
“I’m just working my way up the coast, trying to find a home,” Pennisi stated, emphasizing his persistent search for a stable base for Pioneer Seafoods. “I really liked Redwood City, but it’s really hard to try to bring something back to life all the time.”
In Redwood City, Pennisi invested in infrastructure to ensure the viability of Pioneer Seafoods. This included installing walk-in freezers for his boat, contributing to piling costs, and even organizing live music to attract visitors to the port, aiming to revitalize what he saw as a neglected area. “That port was dead for 35 years,” he said, expressing his bewilderment at the port’s decision to terminate his permit. “I didn’t understand the urgency to get rid of me.”
Beyond business, Pennisi is passionate about providing the community with environmentally responsible seafood options. Pioneer Seafoods emphasizes locally-caught fish, reducing transportation emissions, in contrast to the majority of fish consumed in the U.S. that is imported. They also employ fishing methods designed to minimize bycatch. Pioneer Seafoods’ website details modifications to their trawling gear that significantly reduce the capture of unwanted fish.
“It’s not fair to the public that they can’t have fresh local fish from their own backyard,” Pennisi asserted, underscoring his commitment to local and sustainable seafood access.
Since announcing the Redwood City departure on Facebook, Pioneer Seafoods has received an outpouring of community support, with many expressing sadness and surprise. Pennisi is actively seeking a new location to continue selling his fresh seafood. However, at 58, he is weary of repeatedly starting over. He has been spending more time in Chico with his sons at their construction company, Pioneer Engineering & Construction, while facing mounting bills.
“I’ve been looking at the last 20 years of my life, and I can’t say that it was worth it,” Pennisi confessed, reflecting on the immense challenges of his career. “I don’t know how this story’s going to end.”
Leah Worthington from Redwood City Pulse contributed to this report.
Pioneer Seafoods Website, Contact: 831-917-9407, Instagram: @pioneerseafoods.
