Other Names: Blackcod, Butterfish
Sustainable Fishing Methods: Fish Trap, Bottom Set Line
Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Rating: Best Choice
Biological Information: Sablefish is commonly known as butterfish due to its soft texture, delicate flakes and rich buttery taste. These characteristics can be contributed to its high levels of healthy fatty acids. It has been consumed as a delicacy in Japan for many years and is now making its way onto the local market. Sablefish are found in muddy seabeds at depths of up to 9,000 feet and prefer the edge of the continental shelf. They are opportunistic hunters who like to feed on other fish, squid and even jellyfish. Sablefish mature early and have a long lifespan (up to 90 years).
Sustainability: Sablefish’s buttery, rich and flakey texture make it a great substitute for other impact fish, such as the Chilean Seabass. It is a very well managed fish with its population numbers well into the healthy range. When they are caught using fishing methods such as traps or bottom set lines, they have minimal bycatch and environmental impacts.