Day Boat Seafood LLC was established in March 2006 by lifelong anglers and longtime friends, Howard Bubis and Scott Taylor. Both responsible fishermen and successful businessmen, Howard and Scott saw Day Boat Seafood as a rare opportunity to combine a commercial venture with their love of the sea and their dedication to its preservation.
In 2006, Florida east coast fishermen worked with the National Marine Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Division to develop a hand-gear commercial swordfish fishery; with a practical by-catch interaction of zero, it is considered to be one of the greenest fisheries in the world. Our business plan was to buy buoy-caught swordfish from local fishermen, sell their product, and return to the fishermen the proceeds, less the packaging, freight and a profit for the company's operation. This concept allowed the company to "partner" with the local fishermen, insuring the highest quality product while applying a management strategy that would ensure strong fishery stocks for generations in the East Coast region of the Atlantic Ocean.
In early 2009, many commercial fishing families were faltering under the weight of the bad economy; the decision was made to protect our "partners" by providing solid financial backing to their operations. We began by assuming the failing fishing dock and the operation of 4 long-line vessels in Ft. Pierce. Today, we offer free dockage, ice and bait (at cost) to all our fishermen, and provide 6 long-line vessels all maintenance, repairs, fuel, oil, ice, bait, tackle and provisions needed for each trip. When their catch has been priced, the costs are deducted from their proceeds.
Our Fishermen and Fleet Today
- 13 commercial long-line vessels supply 75% of our swordfish and 100% of our tuna
- 35 buoy fishermen supply 25% of our swordfish
- 285 independent boat owner/operators supply 95% of the other 36 species that we sell
- 95% of the independent boat owners are small commercial fishing families