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Divers’ Catch Gala to celebrate B.C.’s dive-harvested seafood with top chefs and community.

Photo courtesy Hatch Hospitality

Divers’ Catch Gala

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:48 PDT, Mon May 5, 2025

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The BC Dive Fisheries Society is set to host the Divers’ Catch Gala on Sept. 20, 2025, at The Deck at Radisson Blu in Richmond—a celebration of British Columbia’s dive-harvested seafood including geoduck, sea urchin and sea cucumber. This inaugural gala will connect the province’s top chefs, seafood distributors, dive harvesters and food lovers for an evening showcasing sustainable seafood from ocean floor to plate.

Tickets are now on-sale with presale pricing of $118 for gala admission and $88.88 for the Industry Mixer, a pre-gala networking event for seafood industry professionals.

Organized in partnership with the Pacific Sea Cucumber Harvesters Association (PSCHA), Pacific Urchin Harvesters Association (PUHA) and the Underwater Harvesters Association (UHA), the Divers’ Catch Gala highlights community and collaboration. Attendees will learn about the sustainable harvesting methods—each geoduck clam, sea urchin and sea cucumber is hand-picked by divers with no bycatch and minimal ocean floor impact—while tasting flavourful dishes that showcase these delicacies.

An all-star lineup of local chefs will craft tasting plates featuring dive-caught seafood. Renowned chefs Ned Bell (Hatch Hospitality), Will Lew (Pacific Reach), Bobby Milheron (Homer St. Café and Bar, Maxine’s Cafe and Bar, and Tableau Bar and Bistro), Dez Lo (Top Chef Canada, Luxe), Welbert Choi (F.I.S.H), Bo Li (The Fish Man) and more to be confirmed, each preparing unique dishes to highlight geoduck, urchin or sea cucumber in their signature styles.

“We are thrilled to launch the Divers’ Catch Gala as a platform to celebrate our vibrant dive fisheries and the people behind them,” said Bonnie Dennis, executive director of the BC Dive Fisheries Society. “This event not only showcases the incredible geoduck, urchin and sea cucumber harvested from our waters, but also connects harvesters, chefs, distributors and seafood lovers in a community united by a passion for sustainable seafood.”

“As a chef dedicated to sustainable seafood, I’m excited to be part of the Divers’ Catch Gala,” said Ned Bell, chef and sustainable seafood advocate. “B.C.’s dive-harvested seafood is truly world-class, and this gala is a great opportunity to introduce more people to the amazing flavours of geoduck, sea urchin and sea cucumber. I’m proud to help show how these sustainable delicacies can shine on the plate.”

September was strategically chosen for the Divers’ Catch Gala to coincide with the start of the fall dive fishing season, when species like sea urchins and sea cucumbers are at their prime. B.C.’s dive fisheries represent a multi-million-dollar industry supporting coastal communities, and by shining a spotlight on these fisheries locally, the gala aims to boost domestic demand for dive-harvested products that are often exported—keeping more economic benefits within the province.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for companies looking to support the gala and align with its celebration of sustainable seafood. Learn more here.

For more information about the Divers’ Catch Gala, visit diverscatchbc.ca or follow @diverscatchbc on Instagram for updates.