| Market Names |
Black Sea Bass, Sea Bass, Blackfish, Rock Bass, Black Bass, Tallywag |
| Where Caught |
U.S. Atlantic Coast |
| How Caught |
Wild-capture by traps and pots, trawls, hand-line |
Black Sea Bass
Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) is a member of the Serranidae family, the family of true Sea Bass and Groupers. It is a marine fish found along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. It is wild-captured commercially and is a popular recreational sport fishery. Black Sea Bass prefers structured habitats like wrecks and reefs. This preference means that it will enter unbaited pots and traps. There are two stocks on the Atlantic Coast, the northern stock is north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and the stock south of Cape Hatteras is the southern stock. These stocks are managed by different groups. There is a third stock in the Gulf of Mexico.
Black Sea Bass is a protogynous hermaphrodite. It is born female then changes to male between 2 to 5 years. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood WATCH® rates wild-caught Black Sea Bass from the U.S. Atlantic a “Good Alternative” because “once deemed overfished, the North Atlantic population is now rebuilding and has been promoted from an overfished species.” However, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood WATCH® adds that the South Atlantic stock is “severely overfished” and that “because of overfishing, we recommend consumers ‘Avoid’ black sea bass caught in the South Atlantic.” Different groups are in charge of the fishery management of Black Sea Bass for the North Atlantic stock and South Atlantic stock.
| Sources | |
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Species NameCentropristis striata |
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SourceBlack Sea Bass lives along the U.S. Atlantic Coast from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Canaveral, Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a bottom dwelling fish that lives in temperate and subtropical waters. It prefers structured habitats like reefs, wrecks and oyster beds. |
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SeasonalityBlack Sea Bass may be available year-round but in very limited supply depending on when the quotas are met. |
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Fishing MethodBlack Sea Bass is wild-captured by unbaited pots and traps, trawls and hand-line. It is also a popular recreational fishery. Research has indicated that Black Sea Bass has potential as an aquaculture species. |
| Features | |
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FlavorBlack Sea Bass has a mild, delicate flavor and a lean, firm and tender texture. |
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Dietary InformationBlack Sea Bass is low in fat and high in protein and magnesium. Per 100g raw, edible portion: Source: USDA |
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AppearanceBlack Sea Bass can reach 24 inches and 8 pounds but most are harvested at 1 ½ to 3 pounds. It has a stout body and is black or dusky brown with longitudinal lines of white dots. Males turn blue and have a blue hump on their heads during spawning. The meat is a translucent, sparkling white when uncooked and is snow white when cooked. |
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FormFresh Black Sea Bass is most typically shipped whole round. Seattle Fish Company of New Mexico custom processes these beautiful fish into skin-on and skinless fillet and portions to meet your requirements. |
| Uses | |
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PreparationBlack Sea Bass is versatile. It can be used in chowders and soups. It can also be baked, broiled, grilled, poached, sautéed, steamed, fried, or deep-fried. |
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SubstitutionGrouper, Rockfish and Striped Bass can be substituted for Black Sea Bass. |
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HandlingBlack Sea Bass should be refrigerated at 30-34 degrees F. Whole fish should be surrounded with fresh ice in a perforated pan which allows any water to drain away from the product for maximum shelf life. Never directly ice a Black Sea Bass. Filleted product should be stored in a sealed plastic container and surrounded with ice. |
| Market | |
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Sizes and CutsFresh whole round fish are available from 2-6 pounds. |
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Pricing ScaleBlack Sea Bass are available in only very small quantities due to the strong fisheries management systems that have been put in place to enhance the fishery. The limited supply coupled with strong demand results is extremely strong prices. Prices can fluctuate greatly so please contact your Seattle Fish Company of New Mexico associate for up-to-date market information, availability and current pricing information. |
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Shelf LifeWhole Black Sea Bass which has been handled and stored properly should retain optimum quality for 6-7 days. Once filleted, product should be used within 4 days. Currently there is no commercially available frozen Black Sea Bass as all production is absorbed in the fresh market. |