Meet the People Behind the Crab!

We mention our long-term partners at Tides Wharf Seafood often, but have you ever wondered exactly how the crab comes to them? It turns out that they have several multi-generational fishing families who bring in delicious crab and other seafood for our customers to enjoy. In the ups and downs of delay or cancellation of fishing seasons, weather, and other challenges, these partners have faced many obstacles in recent years. It is important to recognize their commitment and dedication.

“These four individuals are very loyal partners to The Tides Wharf. They fish multiple species on the entire California Coast for us. We’re proud to have them at our dock,” said Tides Wharf partner Anthony Delima.

Without further ado, please allow us to introduce you to the fleet of fishermen responsible for your local Dungeness Crab this year:

The Wedel Family – F/V Condor II and F/V Debbie Marie II

Three generations of the Wedel family have fished for the Delima family, proprietors of Tides Wharf, for over 50 years. The relationship began with Paul Wedel, Sr. who was an electrician at Mare Island during World War II.  The moment the war ended, he left his tools and started fishing out of Bodega Bay. His son, Fred Wedel, who has the F/V Condor II was born in 1943 and shadowed his father Paul. Fred bought his first boat at 19 and has fished out of Bodega Bay his entire career. In 1966, Fred had a son named Paul. He followed in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps and went right into fishing. Every day off and vacation from school, Paul commercially fished and has the F/V Debbie Marie II. Their boats are special because they are sister ships made by the same maker.

The Lawson Family – F/V Promise and F/V Seaward

The Lawson Family starts with Chris Lawson who was born in Dillon Beach in 1961. Chris was born into the fishing world being from Dillon Beach, and began working on the Lawson Landing party boat at the age of 8 years old. Chris loved fishing and was always on a boat, so he got his commercial license at 13 years old and bought his first fishing vessel at the age of 15!  Chris has the F/V Seaward. James Waters was born in 1988 and learned everything he knows from Chris Lawson. While Chris has no sons of his own, James is like a son to him. When Chris began dating James’ mother many years ago, he took James under his wing and started teaching him everything about fishing. James began fishing commercially in his early twenties, shadowing Chris on the F/V Seaward until he got his own boat called the F/V Promise. The Lawsons/Waters have fished for the DeLima family for over 40 years.

Crab Season Fast Facts

We asked Anthony Delima, co-proprietor of Tides Wharf Seafood to provide us with a deeper dive into what the crab season looks like for our local fleet and their company. Here are some quick facts on how it all works:

• The average fishermen starts off at 2 to 3 am. The average ride to the crab grounds is about 4 hours. They try to run and put new bait in all the crab pots at least once. Most of the teams finish up at about sunset and head into port to offload.
• During the season, at Tides Wharf the hours are 7 days a week and they process throughout the day. Anthony noted that he and his father will each work 16-18 hours every day 7 days a week for the first six weeks of crab season. The fishermen fish every day, weather permitting, and continue until the catch drops off.
• The new average season for Dungeness Crab is approximately Jan 2nd- April 1^st.
• The average vessel has three crew members including the captain.
• The crab pots weigh about 100 pounds each and the yield of each catch depends on how the harvest is going. Opening average catch yields can be 15 to 40 pounds per pot.
• The initial harvest first “pulls” or hauls vary dramatically by area and year. Boats can come in on opening days with anywhere from 500 pounds to 10,000 pounds.
• Fishing boats in based in Bodega Bay range in size from 18 ft to 100 ft.
• Tides Wharf brings fresh crab and other seafood to our stores daily (except Sunday) year-round and twice daily during holiday seasons

Meet the Fleet

F/V Condor II

• Captain: Fred Wedel
• Fishing for Tides Wharf: Over 50 years

F/V Debbie Marie II

• Captain: Paul Wedel
• Fishing for Tides Wharf: Over 50 years

F/V Seaward

• Captain: Chris Lawson
• Fishing for Tides Wharf: Over 40 years

F/V Promise

• Captain: James Waters
• Fishing for Tides Wharf: Over 25 years