USVI-On-Line

Anyone have advice about where best to buy fresh fish . Are there local fishermen who sell direct. Last time down I was not too impressed by the selection or prices at the markets.

Thanks

Last time we were there, my SO bought some tuna from a charter captain (a name I recognized but can't remember now) that had just come in. His guests had taken all they wanted (still standing there), and my SO asked if he had extra. I can't remember what he paid but it was worth it. We had sashimi and cooked tuna that night.

The guy was parked next to Coral Bay Jewelers.

nothintolose

Right next to the "local bar" in Cruz Bay there is a produce stand that has fresh fish. They cut them up for you right there. It's pretty cool to watch. I have never purchased any (not a huge fish eater) so I can't tell you the quality but it sure does look fresh!

I believe the produce stand is Nature’s Nook. I am sure they could give you an idea of what nights the guy comes around to sell the fish. I saw him last year and people were buying up the fish like crazy. I didn't get to buy any because we were on our way out to dinner. He wasn't planning another trip until after we went home . If you get to try him before the end of June please let us know what ya think because I was going to try to find him again this year. Good luck!

We were there in April and bought next to the fresh fruit stand next to Caps by the Post Office. We purchased Mahi Mahi and it was excellent. Down a bit, in the public parking lot, there was a guy selling the same stuff for $4 per pound. We purchased it for $7. It all looked fresh.

Yummy Yummy I'm having Mahi Mahi on the grill tonight with St John Spices I'm sure it won't compare (fresh vs. frozen). But it is sunny and 80 today

The fishing charter boat captains (my husband and his buddies went out with Gris) have a rule: each guest gets 10 lbs of what he/she catches, and the cap'n keeps the rest. Gris sells to Asolare, Fish Trap/ Stone Terrace and (would you believe) Starfish. So if you want to buy it uncooked, you can do so at Starfish (ask what's local) and at Fish Trap market. Our group caught some yellowtail snapper that was super-yummy!

We caught king fish that was great and we have bought from the guy next to natures nook it has been great

Thanks for all the great advice

Another option is the market at The Fish Trap. It looks more like a fish market than a West Indian guy with a machete and an ice chest. Me, I go West Indian and get a big slab of fresh tuna.

Cheers, RickG

We had fish from The Fish Trap market last year and it was fantastic.

Just a word of caution, This Feb. while on a boat trip to the Baths I was talking with the Captain, a long time Islander, and amongst other things we were talking about fish. He advised that they don't eat the "local" fish that feed on the reefs as they have some parasite that is poionous to humans. The guy seemed knowledgeable enough but maybe someone else can weigh in here. I'm sure most of the fish is just fine, it is the "roadside" tailgate vendors I would be a little sceptical of. Unless you know them of course. I did eat some Mahi I caught out by the "Drop" and it was the best I've ever had. No Problems either.

We were planning to get fresh caught fish and the last poster with the reference to the diseased fish has me nervous. Can anyone else comment on that?

Cara

I think you just need to be aware of the differences in reef fish and those that feed offshore.

My two favorites, tuna and mahi-mahi, fortunately fall into the latter category.

I'd guess that the most popular "eating fish" that could be affected would be grouper (but don't confuse my opinion with expertise!).

If you take a charter the captain knows what is good and not. The only fish I've seen at Natures nook are Mahi ant Tuna and they are both fine.

They were probably talking about ciguatera. You can get ciguatera poisoning if you eat a fish that has too much of that toxin of it in its system. I've never had it, but John's aunt got it while living in Jamaica, she thinks from eating barracuda. She said it was quite painful and took a long time to recover from--like months and months.

My understanding is that you are most likely to encounter a ciguatera-infected fish if you choose to eat fish that are feed near the reefs in relatively shallow water--things like barracuda, snapper, jack, etc. The fish that are out in the open, deeper waters are less likely to be impacted.