Our Story
How a fisherman's frustration with the seafood industry became a mission to connect producers with educated consumers.
The Fisherman Behind Pacific Cloud
Ryan Horwath
Founder — Pacific Cloud Seafood
Ryan Horwath didn't start Pacific Cloud Seafood in an office. He started it on the water — commercial fishing in Alaska, hauling gear in conditions that most people only see in documentaries.
After years working with Sitka Salmon Shares, one of the country's leading community-supported fishery programs, Ryan saw firsthand the disconnect between the fishermen doing the work and the consumers who wanted to support them. The supply chain was opaque, the labeling was misleading, and small-boat operators were being squeezed out by industrial fleets.
Pacific Cloud Seafood is Ryan's answer to that problem. Not a bigger boat or a better marketing campaign — but a platform built on transparency, education, and direct connections between the people who catch your seafood and the people who eat it.
Based in Buffalo, NY with roots in Alaska's fishing grounds, Pacific Cloud bridges the gap between where seafood is caught and where it's consumed — putting faces, stories, and accountability behind every piece of fish.
The market table became the blueprint.
Before Pacific Cloud had a website, it had a farmers market table. Ryan started selling wild Alaska seafood at markets in Buffalo — standing behind a cooler of fish, talking to every single customer who walked up.
Those conversations changed everything. People didn't just want good fish — they wanted to know who caught it, where it came from, and how it was handled. They asked questions the seafood industry wasn't designed to answer: 'Who's the fisherman?' 'What boat was this on?' 'How fresh is it really?'
A table before a website
The first trust signal was simple: stand behind the product and answer every question in person.
Customers asked better questions
The market made sourcing tangible: boat, fisherman, handling, freezing, and whether the story held up.
The model became the mission
Pacific Cloud grew from that direct accountability: make seafood feel traceable before anyone buys it.
The story was built one conversation at a time.
Every setup, pickup, winter market, and opening day made the sourcing promise visible.
A dock story only matters when it reaches the buyer.
The farmers market proved something important: consumers are ready for transparency. They want the connection. They want to look someone in the eye and know the story behind their food. The industry just hasn't made it easy.
That direct, face-to-face accountability at the market became the blueprint for everything Pacific Cloud does — bringing the farmers market experience to every piece of seafood we sell, whether it's shipped across the country or picked up down the street.
Our Mission
Know Your Source
Every piece of seafood has a story — who caught it, where, when, and how. We make that story accessible so you can buy with confidence and support the fishermen who do it right.
Support Small Boats
Small-boat fishermen are the backbone of sustainable fishing. They use selective gear, care for their catch, and invest in their communities. We connect them directly with consumers who value that work.
Make Better Choices
Education changes behavior. When consumers understand the difference between wild-caught and farmed, between traceable and anonymous, they make choices that support better fishing practices and healthier oceans.
Get In Touch
Whether you're a consumer looking for better seafood, a fisherman looking for better markets, or a partner who shares our values — we'd love to hear from you.
Contact Us