J. DeLuca Fish Company, Inc., operating under its flagship brand Nautilus Seafood, is a well-established seafood importer, processor, and distributor based in San Pedro, California. With decades of industry experience and a global sourcing network, the company supplies a wide variety of fresh, frozen, salted, and imitation seafood products to wholesale buyers, retail chains, and foodservice distributors across North America and international markets.
Core Business and Operations
Founded and led by John DeLuca, the company has built a reputation for reliability, quality, and product diversity in the seafood trade. Headquartered at the Port of Los Angeles, J. DeLuca Fish Company utilizes its proximity to one of the busiest ports in the Western Hemisphere to facilitate efficient global sourcing and distribution.
Its operations include:
- Importing seafood from Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S.
- Processing and packaging at HACCP-certified facilities.
- Nationwide distribution with a focus on large ethnic markets and mainstream retailers.
- Product development under the Nautilus Seafood brand.
Product Portfolio
The company’s product line spans multiple categories:
Fresh and Frozen Seafood:
- Sardines
- Squid
- Mackerel
- Anchovies
- Tuna (Various Cuts and Species)
Salted Seafood:
- Cod (Baccalao)
- Yellow Croaker
- Gourami
- Mackerel
Salted products cater primarily to traditional Latin American, Caribbean, and Asian culinary preferences.
Imitation Seafood:
- Imitation Crab Meat – Available in flake, stick, and premium formats.
- Imitation Shark Fin – Often used in soups and Asian dishes.
Cephalopods:
- Calamari Steak
- Cuttlefish (Whole Cleaned, Baby)
- Octopus (Whole, Baby, Cleaned)
The company also offers custom-cut and private label options for selected buyers.
Specialisation and Core USP
J. DeLuca Fish Company’s core strengths include:
- Ethnic market specialization, offering products tailored for Caribbean, Latino, and Asian culinary traditions.
- Diverse sourcing from multiple countries, reducing dependence on single-origin supply chains.
- Private label capabilities and custom product development under strict quality controls.
- Wide assortment of salted and specialty seafoods, often unavailable from larger commercial suppliers.
Their flexibility and depth of SKUs provide significant value to independent grocery chains and regional distributors.
Financial and Market Presence
Although privately held and not publicly disclosing financials, industry data and market presence indicate:
- Estimated annual turnover between USD 20–50 million, based on volume of imports and market penetration.
- One of the top seafood suppliers to ethnic grocers on the U.S. West Coast.
- Supplies major retailers and foodservice companies, particularly in California, Texas, New York, and Florida.
With more than 30 years in operation, the company is recognized as a trusted mid-size seafood importer in the U.S.
Shipment and Trade Records
Using U.S. import data and international trade logs:
- Regularly imports seafood under HS Codes 0307 (Mollusks), 0305 (Dried, salted fish), 1604 (Prepared seafood).
- Primary import origins include Thailand, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Norway, and Peru.
- Handles both containerized imports and direct port-based sourcing for expedited distribution.
The company has consistently maintained a robust supply chain, even during global logistics disruptions.
Target Market
J. DeLuca Fish Company caters to:
- Wholesale seafood distributors
- Independent and ethnic grocery stores
- National supermarket chains
- Foodservice and hospitality sectors
- Private label and custom packaging buyers
Its wide portfolio allows it to serve diverse market segments ranging from fine dining to value-conscious retail consumers.
Capabilities
- HACCP-compliant processing and cold storage facilities in California.
- Packaging customization including vacuum-sealed, tray packs, and retail-ready bags.
- Multilingual sales and logistics staff supporting clients across North America.
- Strong supplier relationships in over 15 countries for continuous product availability.
Certifications and Compliance
The company adheres to:
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) for food safety.
- FDA and USDA import regulations for seafood compliance.
- Third-party inspections for quality and temperature compliance during cold-chain transport.
J. DeLuca Fish also supports sustainability initiatives and works with suppliers who follow responsible fishing practices.
Industry Reputation and Client Trust
- Known for reliable delivery schedules and flexible order fulfillment.
- Offers a balance of mainstream seafood items and hard-to-find specialty products.
- Trusted by long-standing customers for consistency and competitive pricing.
Though not widely advertised, its presence in ethnic food networks and B2B channels has made it a key player in niche seafood markets.
Major Achievements
- Developed Nautilus Seafood into a recognizable brand for salted and frozen seafood products.
- Expanded its distribution to serve coast-to-coast coverage in the U.S.
- Maintained strong supplier networks in Asia and Europe for over two decades.
- Pioneered the import of specialty salted fish formats for diaspora communities in the U.S.
J. DeLuca Fish Company, through its Nautilus Seafood brand, continues to deliver high-quality, culturally relevant, and competitively priced seafood products to a growing and diverse American consumer base.
