Oxnard, California, U.S.A.-based Sun Coast Calamari has purchased two new vessels and appointed a new general manager in a bid to expand its position within the California squid fishery.
In a release, the company announced the Reichle family – which owns both Sun Coast Calamari and Lund’s Fishers – has acquired the F/V Anduril and the F/V Taylor Brooks, which will both participate in the squid fishery year-round. The Anduril, a 58-foot purse seine vessel, was built in 1991; the Taylor Brooks is a 68-foot purse seiner built in 1983.
The two new vessels bring the Reichle family’s west coast fleet to seven fishing vessels total, and the company said the acquisition is part of its commitment to long-term investment in sustainable operations.
“Coupled with strategic relationships with owner-operators, Sun Coast Calamari is poised to expand its footprint in the fishery and increase annual harvest volumes,” the company said in a release.
On top of the new vessel acquisitions, Sun Coast Calamari said it has appointed Luis Lara as its general manager. Lara joined the company in July 2025 to take over from Mike Carpenter, who was with the company for 27 years.
Lara brings 22 ears of experience in the California squid fishery and the strong relationships within the fishing community he has developed. Lara will work with both Sun Coast Calamari and Lund’s Fisheries to expand the companies’ market presence and increase annual harvest volumes, the company said.
“The addition of F/V Anduril and F/V Taylor Brooks, together with Luis’s leadership, marks an important step forward for our California squid operations,” Lund’s Fisheries President Wayne Reichle said. “Luis brings exceptional experience and credibility within the fishery, and these investments reflect our long-term commitment to growing responsibly, supporting the fleet, and delivering a dependable supply of high-quality product to the marketplace.”
Sun Coast Calamari and Lund’s Fisheries operate as separate companies both owned by the Reichle family. According to the company, Lund’s Fisheries is currently the only family-owned and operated, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fishing company that participates in all three commercial squid fisheries in the U.S.
“Continued investments in both production infrastructure and fishing vessels allow Lund’s Fisheries to bring customers closer to the resource through vertically integrated operations and direct access to supply,” Lund’s Fisheries said.
The California market squid (Loligo opalescens) fishery gained certification under the MSC standard in 2023, after beginning the assessment process in 2022. Three companies – Del Mar Seafoods, Silver Bay Seafoods, and Lund’s Fisheries – along with Sun Coast Calamari collaborated on starting the process.
