A Lifetime on the Water, Shared Through Seafood

Wild Local Seafood was built by Santa Barbara fisherman Ben Hyman after years spent working these coastal waters.

Today, we bring chefs and seafood lovers wild, seasonal California seafood — sustainably harvested, fully traceable, and delivered straight from our harbor to your kitchen.

A Different Way to Do Seafood

Wild Local Seafood Co. began with a simple belief:

The best seafood in the world shouldn’t come from across the globe. It should come from the waters right outside our harbor.

We started this company as an alternative to the industrial seafood system — one built on imports, long supply chains, and fishing practices that too often ignore the health of the ocean and the people who depend on it.

We knew there was a better way.
One that was closer, cleaner, more transparent, and deeply connected to place.

A young boy on a boat holding a large lobster with orange gloves, wearing a gray hoodie and blue life jacket, with trap cages and fishing gear in the background.
A fishing boat named Nancy Lee sailing on water
Man in orange waterproof gear and brown beanie holding a large fish on a boat at sea.
Person on a boat holding a large fish with the ocean in the background.
A man and woman at a seafood market on a dock, holding lobsters, with a tent overhead and boats in the background.
A poster with bold text promoting local seafood. It says, 'A commercial fisherman's job is catching seafood for everyone. Support local seafood or import it.' There is an illustration of a fishing boat in water.
Close-up of red lobsters piled together on the beach.
Man on a boat holding a string of multiple red fish caught from the ocean, with a calm water background and overcast sky.
Man holding a large fish in front of a restaurant.
Smiling man in a cap holding a large red fish at a market or festival.
Man holding a large fish on a boat
Man holding a line with six large fish on a boat in open water.
A man on a fishing boat displaying a freshly caught fish, with multiple fish laid out on the boat's deck and a cooler filled with fish.
Man in a blue shirt and cap at a seafood booth, waving, with a banner displaying a bear and a pig in the background.
A smiling man in a black beanie and jacket holding a large fish in front of a marina with boats and water.
Four people smiling in a commercial kitchen with fish and seafood on the counter in front of them.
Food stall for Wild Local Seafood Co. with a banner showing a bear carrying seafood, two men behind the counter, under a blue canopy.
A man and woman smiling at a seafood market stall, holding two large red fish. The stall has a banner with a bear and palm trees, advertising Local Food Co.
Fresh raw shrimp piled together at a seafood market or restaurant.
A large fish with vibrant coloration and spotted pattern lying on a flat surface.
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A man in a yellow jacket and orange beanie on a boat, smiling and posing with fishing equipment and a freshly caught large fish, with more fish in a container.
Man smiling at camera, holding slices of bread, at outdoor event with blue canopy and blurred people in background.
Close-up of a fresh, thick slice of raw salmon fillet with visible orange flesh and white marbling, held by a gloved hand in a seafood market.
A smiling man on a boat standing next to a large catch of fish, including several salmon, lying on a boat's deck.
Person on a fishing boat with a large catch of fish, including a cooler and a sign with contact information for a local seafood company.
Man on a boat holding a large fish he caught
Man wearing a cap and light blue shirt standing behind a table at a seafood booth, waving, with a banner of a bear and a logo in the background.
Four people in a kitchen behind a seafood display, smiling. There are fish, shrimp, and other seafood on the counter.
A man and a woman smiling at the camera, holding two red fish, at a seafood booth with a banner displaying a bear, palm trees, and the text 'Local Food Co.'
Dead fish with speckled scales lying on a concrete surface.
Person on boat displaying a catch of multiple fish, with a sign for wild local seafood and a cooler filled with fish and seafood.
A man wearing a black beanie and a dark jacket holding a large crab in front of a marina with boats and water.
Man on a boat holding a fishing line with multiple fish caught, with a body of water and clear blue sky in the background.
Man wearing a black cap and black T-shirt holding a large red fish in front of a backdrop with palm trees and a shark logo.
A pile of raw shrimp with pink shells and antennae.
Man holding a large fish outside a building with a sign and a blue cooler nearby.
A banner for Wild Local Seafood Co. featuring a bear holding a fish, with two workers behind a market stall under a blue canopy.
A man on a boat holding a string of red fish he caught while fishing in the ocean on a cloudy day.
Smiling man wearing sunglasses, a beige cap, and a grey t-shirt holding a large lobster on a boat with water and hills in the background.
Pile of freshly caught red fish with open mouths in a blue container, outdoors under bright sunlight.
A man wearing an orange jacket, beanie, and gloves holding a large fish on a boat at sea.
A boy on a boat holding a large lobster with both hands, wearing orange gloves, a gray hoodie with the hood up, and a blue life jacket. There are lobster traps and fishing equipment in the background.
A fishing boat named Nancy Lee sailing in calm waters, equipped with fishing gear and antennas.
A young person in a waterproof jacket and gloves holding a large fish on a boat with open ocean in the background, under a sunny sky.
A man and a boy sitting on the deck of a boat at a marina, with boats and palm trees in the background during sunset.
Person on a boat holding a large red fish, wearing sunglasses and a hat with boat equipment visible in the background.
Close-up image of fresh, large lobsters piled together.

Rooted in Santa Barbara, Built on the Water

Wild Local Seafood is owned and operated by Santa Barbara fisherman Ben Hyman.

Ben has spent nearly three decades working on the water — learning the seasons, the tides, and the incredible diversity of California’s fisheries firsthand.

Over the years, one thing became impossible to ignore:

Some of the finest seafood in the world was being caught right here locally…yet so much of what ended up on plates was imported, frozen, or disconnected from its source.

So we built Wild Local Seafood to change that — to bring wild California seafood back to the center of the table, and to reconnect chefs and customers directly to the fishermen who catch their food.

Young boy holding a large lobster on a boat, with fishing traps and ocean in the background.
A fishing boat named Nancy Lee sailing on calm water, equipped with fishing gear and electronics.
Man in orange jacket and beanie holding a large fish on a boat at sea.
A boy wearing a black hoodie and gloves on a boat holding a large fish with a dark back and silver sides in the ocean with blue water and sky.
Two people standing on a wooden dock under a canopy, holding lobsters, with a busy outdoor market or marina in the background. The man wears a wildlife hat and gloves, and the woman is smiling, dressed in a black top and shorts.
A poster encouraging support for local seafood, featuring a red and white fishing boat on water and text emphasizing catching seafood for everyone and supporting local or imported seafood.
Close-up of cooked lobster and crawfish on a bed of seaweed.
Man on a boat holding multiple freshly caught red rockfish on a fishing line, smiling with an overcast sky and calm sea in the background.
Man holding a large fish in front of a restaurant.
A man smiling and holding a large red fish at a market, with a background featuring palm trees and a sign.
Man in black hoodie holding a large fish on a boat, with fishing gear and ocean in the background.
A man holding up a string of freshly caught red fish on a boat at sea.
A man on a boat smiling, surrounded by freshly caught fish laid out on a surface, with a bucket of fish and a sign that reads 'Wild Local Seafood' and a phone number.
A man wearing a blue T-shirt and cap standing under a tent at a seafood booth, waving with his right hand. There are open coolers and a banner with a bear and a fish in the background.
Man in black beanie and waterproof jacket holding a large fish with orange gloves at a marina.
Four people smiling in a professional kitchen with fish and seafood in front of them.
A food stand with a banner for Wild Local Seafood Co, featuring a bear holding a fish, with two men standing behind the counter under a blue canopy.
A man and a woman smiling at the camera, holding two red fish at an outdoor seafood market with a sign reading 'Local Food Co.' and a California bear logo in the background.
A pile of raw shrimp with pink shells and long antennae.
A dead fish with a reddish-brown body and purple-blue spots lying on a concrete surface.
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A smiling man in a yellow jacket and orange beanie on a boat with a large catch of fish, some in a cooler, and fishing equipment around him.
Man smiling at camera, wearing a cap and a T-shirt with farming and fishing graphics, holding two slices of bread, standing outdoors at an event.
Close-up of fresh, raw salmon fillet with vibrant orange color and visible white marbling, held in hand with a glove.
A man on a boat with a large catch of fish laid out on a flat surface.
Man on a fishing boat with a catch of fish, some in a bucket and many laid out on the boat's deck, with a sign for Wild Local Seafood and a phone number.
Man holding a large fish on a boat with ocean in the background.
A man in a cap and light blue T-shirt standing behind a table of open coolers at a seafood booth, waving. There is a banner with a bear and a tree leaf logo behind him, promoting a local seafood company.
Four people in a kitchen standing behind a large fish and bowl of smaller fish and seafood, smiling and posing for a photo.
A man and woman smiling at a seafood booth with a sign featuring a bear and the words "Local Food Co." The man is holding two red fish.
A large, spotted fish lying on the ground near a white object.
A man on a boat with a large catch of fish, a cooler with ice and fish, and a sign that reads 'Wild Local Seafoods' with a phone number.
A man in a black beanie and gray hoodie holding a large crab on a fishing dock with boats in the background.
Man on boat holding a string with multiple fish caught during fishing trip.
Man holding a large red fish at a fishing event.
A pile of raw, uncooked shrimp with pink shells and antennae.
Man holding a large fish outside a building with a sign that says local seafood.
A tent with a banner for Wild Local Seafood Co. featuring a bear carrying a fish, with two men standing nearby at an outdoor event.
Man on boat holding up a string of freshly caught red fish, smiling, over calm ocean water.
A man on a boat holding a large lobster while smiling at the camera with water and hilly coastline in the background.
Bright red fish heads and bodies stacked in a blue container, outdoors on a sunny day.
Man in orange waterproof gear holding a large fish on a boat in the ocean, with fishing equipment and boxes of fish around him.
A boy on a boat holding a large lobster with orange gloves, smiling.
Fishing boat named Nancy Lee sailing on the water with fishing traps onboard.
A person in a black hoodie and jacket holds a large fish on a boat with the ocean in the background.
A man and boy sitting on the front of a boat at a marina.
A person on a boat holding a large bright orange fish with red fins and scales.
Close-up of live spiny lobsters piled together, showing their dark, patterned shells with white spots and long antennae.

Wild,

Local,

Sustainable

Our Mission IS Simple:

To provide wild-caught, sustainably harvested California seafood, landed locally and delivered with integrity.

We work exclusively with trusted small-boat fishermen along the Santa Barbara coast and the Channel Islands. Every fish we offer is caught with care using low-impact methods that protect our fisheries for the future.

No imports.
No farmed fish.
Just seasonal seafood, harvested the right way.

“This is more than a business. It’s a lifelong dedication to the craft, the coast, and the quality you put on the plate. We’re proud to do things differently — to honor the ocean, support local fishermen, and deliver seafood that’s as honest as it is exceptional. From our waters to your kitchen.”

— Ben Hyman, Fisherman & Owner
Wild Local Seafood Co.

Child on a boat holding a large lobster with a smile, wearing orange gloves and a gray hoodie, with fishing gear and crates in the background.
A small fishing boat named Nancy Lee with the registration number 1199820, operating in water, equipped with lobster traps and fishing gear, with Santa Barbara, CA marked on its side.
A man in an orange coat and knit hat holding a large fish on a boat at sea.
Person on a boat holding a large fish with the ocean and blue sky in the background.
A man and woman standing under a blue tent at a seafood market or festival, holding lobsters. The man has a beard, wears a
A poster with bold text advertising the importance of supporting local seafood over imported seafood, featuring an illustration of a fishing boat on water.
A close-up of a pile of red lobsters with orange and black markings.
A smiling man on a boat holding a string of red fish caught during a fishing trip on open water.
Man holding a large fish outside a restaurant with a sign that reads 'LOCAL' and 'SEAFOOD' in the background.
A man smiling and holding a large red fish in front of a white background with palm trees and text.
Man on a boat holding a large fish with both hands.
Man on a boat holding a fishing line with five large fish hanging from it, with the ocean and blue sky in the background.
A man on a boat fishing with a large catch of fish laid out on the deck. The boat is on the water with fishing gear visible. There is a cooler and a sign with contact information for a seafood company.
Man wearing a baseball cap and light blue t-shirt at a seafood market booth, waving with one hand, with a banner of a bear and the text "Wild Local Seafood" in the background, and coolers in the foreground.
Man holding a large scorpion in front of a marina with boats and water.
Four people smiling in a kitchen, standing behind a fish and seafood on a cutting board, with fish, shrimp, and other seafood present.
A booth for Wild Local Seafood Co. features a banner with a bear and fish logo, and two men standing behind the table at an outdoor event.
A man and woman smiling, holding red fish at a seafood market stall with a banner showing a bear, a star, and trees, advertising a seafood company.
A pile of raw pink and gray shrimp with shells and antennae.
Dead fish with reddish-brown body and blue spots lying on a surface.
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A smiling man in a bright yellow rain jacket and orange beanie stands on a boat with a catch of fish, including salmon, in a large cooler. The boat is on water.
Man wearing a cap and black t-shirt holding two pieces of bread in front of a market stall at an outdoor event.
Close-up of a hand holding a thick slice of raw salmon fillet with bright orange flesh and white fat lines. Background shows more salmon and containers.
A man smiling on a boat, with a large catch of fish laid out in a container in front of him, on open water with a cloudy sky.
Man on a boat with a large catch of fish, holding a fish in his hand, with a sign for Wild Local Seafood and contact information.
Man holding a large fish on a boat with water in the background.
A man wearing a baseball cap and light blue shirt standing behind a booth with a banner featuring a bear, a beaver, and the words 'Wild Local Seafood Co.' and a phone number.
Four people in a kitchen with seafood, including a large fish and small shrimp or prawns on a cutting board and in a metal bowl, smiling at the camera.
A smiling man holding two large red fish, standing beside a smiling woman at a seafood market stall with a banner in the background displaying a bear, palm trees, and the words 'Local Seafood Co.'
A dead fish with a colorful, spotted pattern on its body, lying on a flat surface.
Fisherman on boat surrounded by many caught fish, with a bucket full of fish, and a sign reading "Wild Local Seafood" with a phone number.
Person in black beanie and gray hoodie holding a large fish with both hands on a dock near a marina with boats.
Man on boat holding up a string of freshly caught red fish.
A man smiling while holding a large red fish.
Fresh raw shrimp piled together with pink shells and antennae.
Man holding a large fish outdoors, standing in front of a building with a sign and a blue cooler.
Outdoor food stall with a banner advertising Wild Local Seafood Co., featuring a bear illustration and a fish logo, with two people standing behind the stall under a blue canopy.
Man on a boat holding a string of red-orange fish caught while fishing at sea.
A man wearing sunglasses, a cap, and orange gloves is on a boat holding a large lobster. He is smiling and the background shows water, hills, and houses under a clear blue sky.
Fresh red fish heads piled in a blue container at an outdoor market.
A man with a beard wearing an orange jacket and beanie holding a large fish on a boat at sea.
A young boy on a boat holding a large lobster in front of him with both hands, wearing gloves, a hoodie, and a life vest, with fishing gear and traps in the background.
A small fishing boat named Nancy Lee sailing on calm water, equipped with antennas, fishing gear, and lobster traps.
Person on a boat holding a large fish, with ocean in the background, under a clear blue sky.
A man and a boy sitting on the front of a boat at a marina, with boating equipment and boats in the background.
A person holding a large red fish on a boat with water in the background.
Close-up of live lobsters in a seafood display.

Seafood With a Story You Can Stand Behind

We believe people deserve to know what they’re eating — and where it came from.

That’s why we prioritize complete transparency and traceability in everything we do. When you buy from us, you’re not buying anonymous seafood from an industrial supply chain.

You’re supporting:

  • Local fishermen

  • Responsible harvesting

  • Healthy oceans

  • Coastal communities

  • And food that tastes like the California coast

A young boy on a boat holding a large lobster with both hands, wearing orange gloves, a gray hoodie, and a blue life jacket, with lobster traps and fishing gear in the background.
Fishing boat named Nancy Lee with crab traps onboard, sailing on calm water.
Man in orange rain gear holding a large fish on a boat at sea
Person on a boat holding a large fish they caught in the ocean, with blue water and clear sky in the background.
A man and woman standing under a tent on a dock, holding two large lobsters. Both are wearing hats with "Wild Local" logos, and the woman is wearing sunglasses and a black tank top. The background shows a busy dock with people and boats.
Promotional poster highlighting that commercial fishermen catch seafood for everyone, promoting local seafood support or import.
Close-up of a pile of fresh lobsters with bright orange shells and claws, piled together.
Man on a boat holding a string of red fish he caught, with calm ocean in the background.
Man holding a large fish in front of a seafood restaurant.
A man wearing a black cap with red and blue logo holding a large red fish at a market or event.
Man on a boat holding a large fish.
Man on a boat holding up a string of seven large red fish he caught.
Man on a boat with a catch of fish, fishing gear, and a cooler with a sign for Wild Local Seafood and a phone number.
A man wearing a baseball cap and a light blue T-shirt stands at a seafood booth, waving with his left hand. Behind him is a banner with a bear and a buffalo, and the text 'Wild Local Food Co.' Inside the booth are white coolers.
A man wearing a black beanie and brown jacket, holding a large crab with both hands at a marina.
Four people standing behind a fish and seafood on a work table in a kitchen, smiling for the camera.
A seafood booth with a banner displaying the Wild Local Seafood Co. logo, featuring a bear carrying a fish, and two men standing behind the table under a blue canopy.
Two people standing under a tent, holding red fish, with a banner showing a bear, trees, and a fish logo in the background.
A pile of raw shrimp with pinkish shells and long antennae.
A large fish with a spotted dark body lying on a concrete surface next to a boat.
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A man with a beard and orange beanie in a yellow jacket on a boat, smiling and pointing, with a fish caught on fishing line and several fish in a cooler.
Smiling man holding two pieces of toasted bread at an outdoor event, wearing a black t-shirt with a colorful tractor graphic and text, a white cap with a logo, and a black strap over his shoulder.
Slice of fresh salmon fillet with bright orange color and white marbling, held by a hand in a kitchen or fish market setting.
A man on a boat with a wide smile, surrounded by large fish, likely caught during a fishing trip on open water, with a boat deck and foggy horizon in the background.
A person on a boat with a large catch of fish, a cooler, and fishing equipment, advertising a local seafood business.
Man on a boat holding a large fish with an open mouth, background shows water and boating equipment.
A man wearing a baseball cap and a light blue t-shirt standing behind a white cooler at an outdoor event, waving his right hand.
Four people, two women and two men, are standing behind a fish on a kitchen counter in a commercial kitchen. They are smiling and posing for the photo.
A man and woman smiling, holding red fish in front of a banner for a seafood company with a bear illustration.
A large fish with a reddish and spotted body lying on a gray surface.
A person on a fishing boat with a large catch of fish laid out on the deck, holding some fish, with a cooler and a sign that reads 'Wild Local Seafoods' along with a phone number.
A man wearing a black beanie and dark jacket holding a large crab in front of a marina with boats and water.
Man on a boat holding up a fishing line with multiple redfish caught.
A man smiling and wearing a black cap, holding a large red fish he caught, with a tropical palm tree and a fish market sign in the background.
A pile of raw shrimp with pink shells and antennae
Man holding a large fish outdoors in front of a building with a sign that reads 'LOCAL' and 'SEAFOOD'
Food stall at an outdoor event with a banner for Wild Local Seafood Co. showing a bear holding a fish, and two people standing behind the table.
Man on a boat holding a string of freshly caught red fish, with calm ocean in the background.
Man smiling on a boat holding a large lobster, wearing sunglasses, a cap, and rubber gloves with ocean and hillside in background.
Multiple red fish with open mouths piled in a blue container at an outdoor market.
Man holding a large fish on a boat at sea, wearing an orange jacket, brown beanie, and blue gloves.
A young boy holding a large lobster on a fishing boat, with lobster traps and fishing gear in the background.
A fishing boat named Nancy Lee moving through the water, equipped with fishing gear and navigation equipment, labeled with the number 1199820 and based in Santa Barbara, California.
A boy on a boat holding a large fish, with the ocean and sky in the background.
A man and a boy sit on the front of a boat, with marina and palm trees in the background.
A man wearing sunglasses, a cap, and waterproof overalls, holding a large red fish on a boat near the water.
Close-up of live lobsters stacked together on a tray at a seafood market.

The Best of the Season

The ocean is seasonal, and our offerings reflect that.

We bring in what’s running at its peak — from Santa Barbara spot prawns and California spiny lobster to uni, rockfish, halibut, and rare Channel Islands species you won’t find through conventional distributors.

Our seafood changes with the tides, the weather, and the time of year — because that’s how real local food works.