Humboldt Dockside Market to pilot at Madaket Plaza; organizers say market will accept EBT

Organizers of a new Humboldt Dockside Market told the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District on Tuesday they intend to launch a pilot market at Madaket Plaza to let commercial fishermen sell directly to consumers.

"A dockside market is a place where fishermen can come and sell their catch directly to their consumer, off the vessels," said Ashley, the project organizer, who identified the market as a partnership with the North Coast Growers Association. She said a pilot will run every other Saturday beginning June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The nut of the proposal is direct sales and access. Presenters said the market will include a 10‑by‑10 market information/processing booth permitted through environmental health, equipment such as triple‑basin sinks and rolling carts, and the ability to accept EBT cards so lower‑income customers can buy locally caught fish.

Ashley and NCGA representatives said the market will be managed like an established farmers market: canopies on Madaket Plaza, a staffed information booth that doubles as a fish‑processing station, and shared marketing to direct customers to captains and preorders on non‑market days. Organizers also described partnerships to divert fish waste to local farms for composting and to explore school‑food purchases through existing Harvest Hub relationships.

Board members asked whether cooked fish or food vendors would be present; Ashley said vendor pop‑ups are anticipated and that vendors serving prepared fish would be restricted to seafood sourced from Humboldt County fishermen. The board also asked about social media; organizers said the project is findable online under the name "Humboldt Dockside Market."

Public commenters who spoke at the meeting expressed support and interest in participating. One speaker who identified multiple local businesses, including Humboldt Bay Provisions, asked about logistics for prepared products and said he hoped to participate.

The district did not take formal action at the meeting; organizers requested continued district support for the pilot and asked the board to help promote the market. Next steps: the pilot schedule begins June 7 and organizers said they will continue outreach with fishermen, food‑safety officials and city partners to refine operations.

— Reporting by the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District meeting transcript.