Product Offerings
Products:
Sea Scallops: U10, 10/20, 20/30
Groundfish: Cod, Haddock, Pollock
Monkfish: Whole Monkfish, Monkfish Tails
Skate: Skate Wings
Dogfish: Spiny Dogfish
BASE Seafood Auction, headquartered in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is one of the most influential seafood auction platforms on the U.S. East Coast. As a vital link in the North Atlantic seafood supply chain, BASE facilitates the transparent, efficient exchange of fresh, high-quality seafood between local fishermen and a wide network of regional, national, and international buyers.
Core Business and Offerings
The company operates a dynamic wholesale seafood auction system that connects local commercial fishing vessels directly to seafood buyers. BASE handles a broad range of species, with a primary focus on:
- Sea Scallops: U10, 10/20, 20/30
- Groundfish: Cod, Haddock, Pollock
- Monkfish: Whole Monkfish, Monkfish Tails
- Skate: Skate Wings
- Dogfish: Spiny Dogfish
The company plays a pivotal role in the distribution of seafood caught from the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank, ensuring product traceability and quality assurance from dock to door.
Specialization and Unique Strengths
BASE Seafood Auction distinguishes itself by operating under a transparent, open-bid system that maximizes value for harvesters while providing buyers with real-time access to inventory and pricing. Key strengths include:
- Digital Auction Platform: Enabling remote bidding and sales transparency
- Direct Sourcing from Day Boats: Ensuring fresher catch and smaller environmental footprints
- Strong Fishermen Relationships: Partnerships with over 70 vessels contribute to consistent supply
- Species-Specific Grading and Quality Control: Ensuring optimal sorting and market readiness
Financials and Market Reach
Though BASE operates as a privately held entity, insights from trade networks and port authority data indicate significant transaction volumes and consistent year-over-year growth. According to the Port of New Bedford — the highest-grossing commercial fishing port in the United States — seafood auctions contribute heavily to the city's estimated $450+ million annual seafood value, in which BASE plays a notable role.
Key operational insights include:
- Handling over 10 million pounds of seafood annually
- Supplying to more than 100 regular buyers, including distributors, processors, and retailers across the U.S. and Canada
- Supporting daily landings from over 30 active scallop vessels during peak seasons
Target Markets
BASE Seafood Auction services buyers in:
- New England and Mid-Atlantic States: Including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland
- National Distribution Networks: Feeding into foodservice, restaurants, and large wholesalers
- Export Channels: Select species, particularly scallops and monkfish, are routed through export partners to Europe and Asia
Capabilities
The company maintains robust infrastructure and operational support to handle high-volume seafood transactions efficiently:
- Real-time inventory management and digital auction software
- On-site chill storage and grading stations
- Dockside quality assurance and cold chain logistics coordination
- Custom packaging and freight handling for interstate and export shipments
Certifications and Compliance
BASE Seafood Auction complies with all federal and state fisheries regulations, including:
- NOAA Fisheries Reporting Requirements
- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) traceability protocols
- Active participation in New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) programs
- Dockside inspections under U.S. Coast Guard and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
Customer Testimonials
Though specific public testimonials are limited, BASE’s reputation is built upon consistent endorsements from its network of harvesters and commercial buyers. The continued loyalty of buyers attending daily auctions, many for over a decade, is a strong indicator of customer satisfaction and trust in the system's fairness and product quality.
Major Achievements
- Central role in making New Bedford the top U.S. commercial fishing port by value for 22 consecutive years
- Early adoption of digital auctioning systems, enhancing transparency and remote buying capabilities
- Partnership with major vessel owners and fishing cooperatives to streamline auction participation
- Recognized locally for bolstering the economic viability of small-scale fisheries in New England
By bridging the gap between the sea and the marketplace with integrity and innovation, BASE Seafood Auction continues to lead the charge in efficient, ethical, and high-value seafood commerce in the North Atlantic region.