About the Dockside Market
Similar to a traditional farmers' market, our direct-to-consumer Dockside Market, offers a space to connect with our local fishers while bolstering our local economy and seafood connection.
This open air concept provides an educational experience that not only provide high quality fish and seafood for customers and increased market opportunities for fishermen, but will reconnect our community with our resilient food system. Through our state-of-the-art mobile fish fillet station, shoppers have the option to get their fish processed on site. At this station, customers learn about the different ways fish can be processed, get tips and recipes for preparing their fish, and leave with ready to cook, cut and wrapped seafood.
This open air concept provides an educational experience that not only provide high quality fish and seafood for customers and increased market opportunities for fishermen, but will reconnect our community with our resilient food system. Through our state-of-the-art mobile fish fillet station, shoppers have the option to get their fish processed on site. At this station, customers learn about the different ways fish can be processed, get tips and recipes for preparing their fish, and leave with ready to cook, cut and wrapped seafood.
Humboldt’s fishing industry has experienced years of hardships; from shortened crab seasons and price cuts, to the loss of infrastructure like cold storage and fish processors. The Humboldt Dockside Market was created to improve the viability of fishing jobs by providing additional market opportunities where fishermen can receive a fair market rate for their catch and gain additional business and safety trainings and skills, all while educating customers about the importance of supporting sustainable, local fisheries.
Along the North Coast
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California’s North Coast region extends from the Oregon border in Del Norte County south to Point Arena in Mendocino County. For generations, people in this part of the state have relied on the region's rich fishery resources for culture, livelihood, recreation, and subsistence.
Many of the area’s commercial coastal ports were established around the Gold Rush era of the 1850s to support extractive timber, salmon, and shipping industries. However, long before these developments, Indigenous communities, including the Wiyot, Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Matole, Sinkyone, Pomo, and Tolowa peoples, have lived in deep connection with these lands and waters for thousands of years. As Humboldt County’s first direct-to-consumer dockside seafood market, we are proud to work with many of the local fishing families who have long worked in harmony with the ocean. Our mission is to honor that legacy while helping to sustainably feed our communities for generations. |
Accessibility First
Before now, the only way for fishing vessels to sell their catch directly to consumers has been off their boats at Woodley Island, which presents several challenges. The docks are not ADA accessible, with steep and narrow ramps and walkways that make it difficult for community members with mobility limitations to reach the vessels. Access is also unequal for the fishermen themselves, vessels with slips near the first parking lot often see higher sales, while those farther away or without nearby parking have fewer opportunities to connect with customers. Public transportation to Woodley Island is nonexistent, and visitors who aren’t already connected to fishermen’s communication channels often don’t know where or when seafood is available.
In response to these challenges, the Dockside Market was born. Overlooking the Woodley Island Harbor and conveniently located in Old Town Eureka, Madeket Plaza offers a welcoming and open market space that has
In response to these challenges, the Dockside Market was born. Overlooking the Woodley Island Harbor and conveniently located in Old Town Eureka, Madeket Plaza offers a welcoming and open market space that has
- wheelchair accessible entrance,
- abundant parking,
- and is just blocks away from the RTSRTS South - Scotia bus stop (~7 minute walk from 4th St & B St (Co-Op)).