Our Story
- Know Your Fisherman -
- Know Your Fish -
We think you should know where your food comes from, and who’s been a part of its journey to your plate.
Know Your Fisherman:
Conor Fitzgerald
Growing up in Southeast Alaska, Conor Fitzgerald has always felt a close connection to Alaska and its waters. Beginning as a crew member in 2012, Conor has taken his decade+ of experiences working on the ocean, and launched his own small business in 2021. He is the owner/operator of the F/V Seaborn, a coffee enthusiast, and lover of his time spent doing anything outdoors with his wife, Zoe, and their black lab “Bubba”.
Marketing & Distribution Manager:
Maile Kilmer
Maile was born and raised in Bend, Oregon, and spent much of her young adult years exploring the beauty of her backyard wilderness. She went off to college in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she developed her love for working on farms, and within sustainable food systems. She believes in the power of community based food production, and the importance of fresh, nutrient dense, delicious food for all people. Maile manages the marketing and distribution for Seaborn Seafoods, and is stoked to bring the salmon to the people!
Seaborn Seafoods:
Born from an idea and two families coming together to make it a reality.
When Conor purchased the F/V Seaborn in 2021, one of his goals was to use the smaller platform to try and bring Alaskan Salmon directly to the consumer.
“When I bought the Seaborn, gill-netting was a new concept for me. I had only ever worked on seine vessels that harvested fish at a quantity requiring large scale processing and distribution. Because gill-netters only catch a fraction of what a seiner can produce, I was drawn to the idea of seeing the fish every step of the way from the ocean, to the fillet on the dinner table. Doing more, with less fish, seemed like a more sustainable option, and best way to honor the resource that has given me so much.”
Providing critical support in making this dream a reality, Conor has partnered with his extended family in Bend, Oregon to help get the freshest product possible to customers during the season. With her expertise, energy and enthusiasm, his sister-in-law Maile Kilmer has established relationships with customers in Bend and around the PNW. Together, the Fitzgerald’s and Kilmer’s are proud to provide our communities with the best food on earth.
Know Your Fish
Each salmon we sell is harvested exclusively on board the F/V Seaborn in the pristine waters of Southeast Alaska’s glacially carved fjords. Here the nutrient rich waters of the North Pacific meet the mountainous terrain of the Tongass Rainforest, creating the ideal environment supporting all 5 species of Pacific Salmon.
King Salmon - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Conor’s favorite food on the earth, the King, or “Chinook”, salmon is the largest of all 5 species of pacific salmon, prized for its high omega-3 fatty acid content and thick juicy fillet portions. Commercially harvested in the opening weeks of our gillnet season, we have the ability to fulfill custom orders through direct inquiries only.
Coho Salmon - Oncorhynchus kisutch
Known as “Silvers” in Alaska for their bright chrome exterior, coho are sought after for their beautiful orange flesh and rich flavor. Coho return in significant quantities to Southeast Alaska rivers between Mid-August through September, with Conor’s peak harvest typically occurring in the first two weeks of September. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample this often overlooked, but premium salmon variety! We expect Coho shipments to begin around the first week of September.
Sockeye Salmon - Oncorhynchus nerka
Known as “Reds” in Alaska for the deep crimson color of their flesh, our wild-caught sockeye are jam-packed with nutrients that only the cold, glacially fed waters of Southeast Alaska can provide. Harvested throughout the season, with runs peaking in mid-July, we expect shipments to begin the first or second week of July.
