Since 1892, Bon Secour Fisheries has provided the right product, at the right time and at the right price to wholesale and retail customers along the Gulf Coast and across the United States.

Our story began in the late 1880s, when Danish immigrant Frank Nelson established a small, family-run oyster harvesting and packing operation. He specialized in sourcing and delivering to Mobile fresh oysters from his and other oyster growing operations in the Bon Secour area. Exceptional customer service and attention to detail made his endeavor successful.

Frank’s son, John A. Nelson, worked alongside him, and in the 1920s, the two began to catch shrimp to add to their seafood offerings. Like Frank, John A. supported his family with his dedication to the growing business. His son, John Ray Nelson, took control of the operation after World War II. As shrimp began to be produced from offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, the business expanded rapidly with growing demand for that premium quality product. By the early 1960’s, Nelson’s brand oysters and Bon Secour brand shrimp had found their way to markets across the nation.

Today, the family tradition of unmatched customer service, steadfast integrity and commitment to innovation in delivering the highest quality products continues. This foundation has propelled what began as a small, family operation to become a major supplier of fresh and frozen seafood in Alabama, where we began, and well beyond.

With a fourth generation now operating the business—John Ray’s three sons, John A. David and Chris—Bon Secour Fisheries will stay the course of an innovative seafood supplier while grounded in the fundamental values on which we’ve been built for more than a century.