The sale of fish and seafood products direct from the fishing vessels originated unofficially from “C Float” at the Gulf of Georgia site in the 1970s. This float was not designed to accommodate access by the general public, resulting in concern over public safety as well as product quality.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Small Craft Harbours Branch formed a committee comprised of health officials and fishermen to create operational guidelines governing product quality, regulating authorities, qualifications for use of facilities and conditions governing fish sales. The current Fish Sales Float Directive can be found here.

During this time, negotiation was underway, supported by the Honourable Tom Siddon, to redevelop the harbour. A Public Fish Sales Float was installed by Small Craft Harbours in 1989, at the same time as the Steveston Waterfront Properties area was constructed. The new float was built to meet all public safety concerns and to accommodate the general public. This initiative complimented the development of Steveston Landing and helped to draw people to the waterfront.

Today, the Sales Float is carefully regulated to ensure that members of the general public receive top quality product. Vessels using the facility may only sell species which they are licensed to harvest by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. In addition, they must hold a Provincial Fish Vendor License obtained through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and a license from the Steveston Harbour Authority which ensures that they are fully aware of all regulations, guidelines and standards for freshness.

Only fresh or flash frozen at sea varieties of fish, crab, shrimp and prawns are available at the float. You will not find processed, smoked or dried fish nor will you find other species such as oysters, clams, mussels and other bivalve mollusks as they are prohibited from being sold on the Fish Sales Float.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Public Fish Sales Float. Nowhere else can you obtain truly "fresh" seafood, meet the fishermen and their families and see the vessel and gear responsible for harvesting such fine products.