When Dave Johnson and Gary Groomes walked into the Shark Tank on Season 4, they weren’t just pitching a business, they were pitching a solution to an environmental crisis.
Their company, Traditional Fisheries, had a bold mission: reduce the invasive lionfish population in the Atlantic Ocean by turning it into food. The idea was daring, the presentation was memorable, and the Sharks even agreed the lionfish tasted great.
But despite all that, the pitch ended in rejection and within months, the company vanished.
But the story doesn’t end there. In a twist few expected, the mission behind Traditional Fisheries outlived the business itself. Today, lionfish filets are likely available through select stores like Publix and Whole Foods, and chefs across the U.S. are embracing this sustainable delicacy.
So how did a company with zero profits and no Shark deal end up leaving such a lasting impact?
Let’s dive into the true story and uncover the real Traditional Fisheries net worth in 2025.
Traditional Fisheries 2025 Net Worth Update
On Shark Tank, Johnson and Groomes sought $225,000 for 25% equity, giving Traditional Fisheries an on-air valuation of $900,000. That was a big number for a startup with just $12,000 in sales.
While their idea was noble and the product had potential, the business model didn’t survive the challenges that followed. By early 2014, the company had closed its doors, with its website inactive and its social media abandoned.
In short: Traditional Fisheries net worth in 2025 is $0. There are no assets, no product lines, and no continued operations tied to the original business.
🦈 If you were a Shark, would you have invested in Traditional Fisheries when they asked for $225,000?
Founders With a Mission to Save the Ocean
Traditional Fisheries wasn’t your typical food startup. Founders Dave Johnson and Gary Groomes were ocean enthusiasts who saw the devastation lionfish were causing in the Atlantic.
Originally from the Indo-Pacific, lionfish had been accidentally released into U.S. waters through the exotic pet trade. With no natural predators, their population exploded destroying coral reefs and native fish species like snapper and grouper.
Their idea was to fight back with forks: harvest lionfish, promote it as a delicious and sustainable seafood option, and incentivize local spearfishermen to join the effort. It was a blend of activism and entrepreneurship that caught the Sharks’ attention, even if it didn’t win their investment.
The Shark Tank Pitch: Tasty But Risky
On Shark Tank Season 4, the pitch was unique. Johnson and Groomes served lionfish fillets to the Sharks, comparing the taste to snapper or sea bass. The Sharks agreed, it was surprisingly good. But good food wasn’t enough to close a deal.
Daymond John, an avid fisherman himself, pointed out the issue of labor-intensive harvesting. Lionfish had to be speared individually, often from hard-to-reach reef areas. Mark Cuban raised scalability concerns.
If harvesting couldn’t be automated, the supply chain would always be limited. Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec questioned how public awareness could be raised on such a niche issue. All five Sharks bowed out, citing high costs and a long timeline to market adoption.
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The Quick Collapse of a Brave Idea
After the episode aired, Traditional Fisheries struggled to gain traction. The business had made only $12,000 in sales before the show, and the exposure wasn’t enough to overcome the logistical hurdles.
Without a Shark’s backing or a major partnership, the company couldn’t afford to scale operations or run the large educational campaigns needed to raise demand.
Within a few months, the website disappeared. No new updates came from the founders. By 2014, Traditional Fisheries was quietly out of business.
What Went Wrong: A Breakdown
Several challenges sunk Traditional Fisheries faster than anyone expected:
- Lack of Consumer Awareness: Most people had never heard of lionfish as food—and weren’t eager to try it.
- High Cost of Harvesting: Spearfishing is expensive, time-consuming, and can’t scale easily.
- Small Starting Capital: The founders didn’t have the funding to support large-scale marketing or distribution.
- Misunderstanding Around Safety: Many confused lionfish venom with poison, fearing it might not be safe to eat.
In the end, the business couldn’t overcome these obstacles fast enough to survive.
A Legacy That Lives On
Even though Traditional Fisheries is gone, its mission struck a chord. In the years following their Shark Tank appearance, lionfish awareness grew. Eco-conscious chefs began adding lionfish to their menus.
Major grocery chains like Publix and Whole Foods began offering lionfish filets, likely through special order programs or select locations. Even conservation groups started promoting lionfish hunts as a way to protect coral reef systems.
What Traditional Fisheries failed to achieve as a business, it succeeded in achieving as a spark, one that helped turn lionfish from an environmental menace into a culinary opportunity.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs and Shark Tank Fans
There’s a lot to learn from the Traditional Fisheries journey. First, a passionate mission isn’t enough, you also need a solid plan to scale and educate.
Second, even the most well-meaning ideas can fail without enough funding or market research. And third, sometimes failure still leaves an impact that outlives the original brand.
For fans of Shark Tank, this is a reminder that not every good idea becomes a great business, but that doesn’t mean the idea was worthless.
Final Thoughts: A Net Worth of Zero, a Legacy Worth Millions
In 2025, Traditional Fisheries net worth sits at $0, a failed venture by every business metric. But in terms of impact? It helped pioneer a conversation about sustainability and consumer responsibility. And that may be worth far more than the Sharks ever imagined.
TL;DR
Traditional Fisheries failed after Shark Tank due to scalability issues, low sales, and public awareness challenges. But while their business folded, their mission to fight invasive lionfish left a lasting impact—and helped change the seafood industry for good.
FAQs
What is Traditional Fisheries’ net worth in 2025?
Traditional Fisheries went out of business shortly after their Shark Tank appearance. However, based on their past revenue (~$2 million), we estimate their peak net worth was around $2 million before closing operations.
Did Traditional Fisheries get a deal on Shark Tank?
No, Traditional Fisheries did not secure a deal on Shark Tank. All five Sharks declined to invest due to scalability issues and market awareness challenges.
Is Traditional Fisheries still in business in 2025?
No, the company shut down just a few months after their Shark Tank episode aired. Their website and social media accounts have not been active since 2011.
Where can I buy lionfish now?
Lionfish filets are available in select grocery stores like Publix and Whole Foods, and through various online seafood retailers.
What happened to the founders of Traditional Fisheries?
After Traditional Fisheries closed, Dave Johnson and Gary Groomes moved on to other professional ventures. Public details about their current roles remain limited.
Did Traditional Fisheries help spread awareness about lionfish?
Yes, while the business didn’t succeed financially, their Shark Tank pitch helped bring national attention to the invasive lionfish crisis and inspired later commercial efforts to harvest lionfish for consumption.