Nearly a year and a half after changing ownership, Dock to Dish has reemerged with a renewed focus on delivering locally caught seafood directly from Long Island waters to restaurant kitchens across the East End and New York City. Originally founded in Montauk in 2012, the restaurant-supported fishery cooperative entered a new chapter when six Montauk fishing families behind Inlet Seafood took over operations alongside K.C. Boyle, who oversees day-to-day logistics.

The shift placed experienced commercial fishermen at the center of the model. Many of the new owners have spent decades working the waters off Montauk, and the collective now distributes seafood sourced entirely from Long Island waters. After completing a three-month pilot program to fine-tune packing, coordination and delivery, Dock to Dish officially relaunched in spring 2024 with plans to steadily scale operations.

A defining feature of the updated approach is its emphasis on expanding the market for lesser-known and underutilized species. In addition to staples like fluke and black sea bass, the cooperative is helping restaurants incorporate fish and shellfish that were historically overlooked, including royal red shrimp harvested from deep offshore waters. By creating consistent demand for a wider range of species, fishermen can generate value from more of their catch.

The streamlined distribution model significantly shortens the supply chain. Instead of passing through multiple middlemen over several weeks, seafood moves directly from boat to restaurant via Dock to Dish’s own network. While the cooperative continues to support traditional wholesale markets, this direct channel offers chefs access to fresher product and greater traceability.

Today, Dock to Dish works with restaurants across the East End and in New York City, while expanding relationships with fishermen beyond Montauk to ports including Shinnecock and eventually Greenport. With plans to collaborate with more than 100 boats across Long Island, the collective is reinforcing a simple but impactful goal: keep local seafood local and strengthen the region’s working waterfront economy.

🔗 https://www.easthamptonstar.com/villages/202452/renewed-focus-fresh-fish

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