Your Spring 2026 BC Seafood Guide: What's Fresh, What's Coming, and How to Prepare It

Spring in Metro Vancouver means one thing for seafood lovers: the waters are waking up. Whether you're firing up the grill for the first time this season or stocking your freezer with the best BC has to offer, here's your guide to what's fresh right now, what's just around the corner, and how to prepare it simply and deliciously.

What's Available Right Now

You don't have to wait for spot prawn season to eat well. These Ocean Wise-certified BC favourites are available today:

Wild Sockeye Salmon — The crown jewel of BC waters. Rich in flavor, deep red in color, and loaded with Omega-3s, sockeye is as versatile as it gets. Grill it, bake it, or enjoy it smoked. We carry everything from fresh wild salmon fillets to frozen sockeye portions perfect for stocking up. Craving something different? Try our wild sockeye salmon burgers — a crowd-pleaser at any backyard BBQ.

Wild BC Halibut — Halibut season is in full swing, and BC halibut is some of the finest white fish you'll find anywhere. Mild, firm, and perfect on the grill. Pick up fresh wild halibut fillets and cheeks for a weeknight dinner that feels like a restaurant experience, or grab our frozen halibut portions to always have some on hand.

Wild Sablefish (Black Cod) — If you haven't cooked with sablefish yet, spring is the perfect time to start. Known for its incredibly rich, buttery texture and high Omega-3 content, black cod is one of BC's most prized — and underrated — fish. It's nearly impossible to overcook, making it a great choice for home cooks. Try our fresh wild sablefish fillets for the ultimate spring dinner, or stock up with our frozen sablefish portions. For something truly special, our smoked black cod fillets are in a league of their own.

Wild Albacore Tuna — BC's albacore tuna is a sustainable, locally caught alternative to imported canned tuna — and the difference in quality is night and day. Our wild albacore tuna loins are perfect seared rare on the grill or sliced into a fresh spring salad.

Coming Soon: BC Spot Prawn Season 🦐

Mark your calendars — BC spot prawn season opening declaration is around May 1, 2026, with the beloved Vancouver Spot Prawn Festival expected around May 25. Spot prawns are BC's most celebrated crustacean, and for good reason: sweet, tender, and available fresh for only a few short weeks each year.

We'll be offering fresh 2026 BC spot prawns — whole and tails — as soon as the season opens. If you want to get ahead of the rush, check out our frozen BC spot prawns to tide you over until the fresh catch arrives. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when 2026 spot prawns are live.

Simple Spring Preparation Tips

Grilled Sockeye Salmon (5 minutes): Brush fillets with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. Grill skin-side down on medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes. Don't flip — the skin protects the fish and crisps up beautifully. Rest for 2 minutes and serve.

Pan-Seared Halibut (10 minutes): Pat fillets dry — this is the key to a golden crust. Heat a cast iron pan until very hot, add a knob of butter and a splash of oil. Sear halibut for 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Finish with capers, lemon, and fresh dill.

Miso-Glazed Black Cod (15 minutes): Mix white miso, mirin, and a touch of honey. Coat sablefish fillets and let marinate for at least 30 minutes (overnight is even better). Broil or bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes until caramelized and flaky. This is the dish that converts people into black cod fans for life.

Spot Prawns — Keep It Simple: The best spot prawns need almost nothing. Toss whole prawns in garlic butter and grill for 2–3 minutes per side, or boil briefly in salted water and serve with aioli. The sweetness of fresh BC spot prawns speaks for itself.

Why Source Local?

All of our seafood is sustainably sourced from BC waters and Ocean Wise certified where applicable. When you buy from A Fish Company, you're supporting local fishers, reducing food miles, and eating seafood that's been handled with care from boat to your door — right here in Metro Vancouver.

Spring is short. The spot prawn season is even shorter. Don't miss it — shop our full selection of fresh and frozen BC seafood and make this your best grilling season yet.