Oregon Coast Seafood Trail Launches, Connecting Communities to Local Catch

Oregon Coast Seafood Trail Debuts Across the Shoreline

The entire Oregon coastline has a new guide for seafood lovers thanks to the launch of the Oregon Coast Seafood Trail. Introduced last week by the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) in collaboration with the Oregon Ocean Cluster, the trail aims to connect visitors and residents directly with more than 20 seafood eateries, markets, dockside retailers, and food carts that prioritize locally caught and grown Oregon seafood.

Addressing the Local Seafood Gap

The Seafood Trail is designed to address a significant disconnect between the abundant seafood harvested off Oregon's coast and what actually appears on local menus and markets. A 2022 OCVA-commissioned study revealed that around 90% of seafood supplied to Oregon Coast businesses and institutions was non-local catch. By showcasing businesses sourcing products like Dungeness crab, pink shrimp, albacore tuna, salmon, oysters, clams, halibut, and groundfish directly from Oregon’s working waterfronts, the trail seeks to close this gap.

Participating Seafood Businesses

The trail features a diverse array of seafood businesses, many of them operated by fishing families. For example, Ecola Seafoods Restaurant & Market in Cannon Beach, owned by a commercial fishing family, serves fresh catches from its own vessels and local fleets. The list of participating businesses along the coast includes:

• Port Orford Seafood Market – Port Orford
• Umpqua Triangle Oysters – Winchester Bay
• Local Ocean Seafoods – Newport
• Clausen Oyster Deli – North Bend
• Ona Restaurant & Lounge – Yachats
• OleBob’s Seafood Market – Astoria
• Sea-Bre’s – Toledo
• Sal de Mar – Newport
• Battery 245 Brewing Co – Warrenton
• Ecola Seafoods Restaurant & Market – Cannon Beach
• Little Fish Fine Seafood Market – Coos Bay
• Port Orford Sustainable Seafood – Port Orford
• West Fish Co. – Pacific City
• The Spot – Garibaldi
• Kismet’s Landing Restaurant – Reedsport
• Blue Box Seafood Company – Winchester Bay
• South Bay Wild Fish House – Astoria
• Fishermen Direct Seafood – Gold Beach
• Captain’s Corner – Garibaldi

Enhancing the Coastal Economy and Heritage

The Seafood Trail provides more than just a dining directory. Organizers envision the trail as a bridge for visitors to experience the stories, people, and places behind Oregon seafood. "Oregon’s seafood industry is deeply tied to the identity and economy of the coast," said Marcus Hinz, executive director of OCVA. The initiative offers travelers the chance to connect directly with the families supporting Oregon’s blue economy and its maritime heritage.

Alignment with Broader Economic Initiatives

The launch coincides with regional and federal movements to support domestic supply chains and encourage tourism, especially during off-peak months. The Seafood Trail aligns with the America First Seafood Strategy, a federal effort unveiled on October 23 to promote direct seafood sales and regional marketing. Additionally, Travel Oregon's Executive Director Kate Sinner highlighted during the Oregon Coast Economic Summit in Seaside on October 29 that the trail helps direct visitor spending to small coastal businesses year-round, boosting off-season tourism.

Planning a Visit

The Oregon Coast Seafood Trail features an interactive online map and planning resources, making it easier for travelers and locals to find and experience fresh local seafood across the coast. For more information and to plan a seafood excursion, visit the official Seafood Trail website at https://visittheoregoncoast.com/dine/keep-local-seafood-local/seafood-trail.

Source: beachconnection.net.