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The Catch Of The Day

By Knute Hogan,

The Culinarian Magazine

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REDFISH//August 2008

Redfish is a generally accepted name for the species Sciaenops ocellatus. Redfish may also called channel bass, spot tail bass and, more commonly, red drum. Within the red drum family there are over one hundred species found in both warm and tropical waters. The name is derived from their color and the fact that during spawning time, males produce a drum-like noise by. The color of Redfish ranges from a deep blackish, coppery color to nearly silver but is most commonly a reddish-bronze. Juvenile Redfish aged one to four years are called puppy drum. Redfish are related to black drum, spotted sea trout, weakfish, sea mullets and croakers. Descriptive characteristics include a blunt nose and no barbells on the chin. The copper bronze body is a lighter shade in clear waters and covered with large scales. There are one or more spots at the base of the tail. Redfish have a large horizontal mouth that opens downward.

Redfish live in coastal and estuarine waters with submerged vegetation from New England to Mexico Most Redfish reach sexual maturity during their fourth year, when they are about two and a half to three feet in length. Spawning takes place in the waters around the coastal inlets during the fall. Their eggs hatch within twenty-four hours and are carried throughout the bays and estuaries by the tides and winds. Estuaries are areas where a river meets the sea. Here salty ocean water mixes with fresh river water creating a very productive environment. Young Redfish find abundant food and shelter in the brackish marshes along the shores. Redfish are often found in water so shallow that their backs are exposed while swimming.

For the first three to four years of their lives, Redfish live in the estuaries or in the surf zones along inlets. As they mature, they are more frequently found in the ocean but still use the estuaries and inlets to feed and spawn. Although there is little evidence of seasonal migrations, anglers find concentrations of Redfish in rivers and tidal creeks during the winter. Daily movement from the shallows to deeper waters is influenced by tides and water temperatures. During the fall, especially during stormy weather, large adult Redfish move to beaches, possibly for spawning, where they can be taken by surf anglers. While the numbers of larger and older fish have declined, some fish are still taken that are over thirty years old.

Young Redfish feed on marine worms, small crabs, mollusks and shrimp. They will add small fish to their diet as they achieve maturity and are a highly cannibalistic. It is believed that the spot on their tail helps to fool predators like turtles, birds and larger fish into thinking it is the fish's eye thus aiding its ability to escape. Such a characteristic is little help in escaping its human predator however.

The surge in popularity of Redfish in the 70's and 80's through celebrated chefs and consumers put the wild stock of fish in jeopardy. After several years of study and planning, North Carolina's Marine Fisheries Commission approved a Redfish (the states official saltwater fish) fisheries management program in 2001. This management program created a plan for recovery of Redfish populations. One major cornerstone of the program was to prohibit a directed commercial fishery which only allowed Redfish to be taken as by catch in other fisheries.

Details of the fisheries management programs include: a commercial fishing year established a low limit of fish per trip to ensure a by catch fishery, require attendance of commercial gill net less than five inches from May through October in designated areas to allow release of Redfish, prohibit the possession and sale of Redfish larger than twenty-seven inches allowing older fish to spawn and reproduce; avoid targeting of Redfish, commercial catches must have at least fifty percent of other species by weight to avoid targeting and ensure a by catch fishery, set recreational harvest limit to one fish per day between seventeen to twenty-seven inches in length to limit impact on stocks. Other states along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts have also adopted similar management strategies to aid in the recovery of this fish.

As a result of these proactive management measures the outlook is improved for the wild Redfish population. Although the stock is listed as overfished, there has been encouraging signs of several strong year classes that continue to make their way into the spawning stock. Redfish are a popular and challenging sport fish for recreational anglers that hit on most baits offered. Despite the improved outlook, any significant commercial fishing is far in the future. This has made Redfish an excellent candidate for fish farming.

Aquaculture programs that are fully integrated present control points just a couple of steps away from the consumer. Companies such as Lonestar Aquafarms in Texas have been improving the nature of fish farms for many years in pursuit of the best quality fish and providing a consistent supply and size of fish at a stable cost. These are considerable advantages over the uncertain supply of wild fish.

Grading the fish from its egg stage throughout its growth periods ensures that only the healthiest fish move to the next level and ultimately arrive to consumers. There are several managing agencies at the federal, state and local levels that also keep the farms practices within the evolving industry standards further ensuring wholesome quality and limited impact to the surrounding ecological systems.

The pond structure of inland aquaculture provide an opportunity to apply environmentally friendly practices with regard to water quality, feed distribution, stock maintenance, waste management. Water is most often filtered and reused with only evaporation loss to replenish. Pond density is a key control point in all aquaculture programs and even more so for Redfish whose cannibalistic nature makes it vital to keep densities at a lower level.

Redfish are relatively a fast growing fish achieving the two to four pound market size in an eighteen to twenty-two month period. Its yield factor is better than many farmed and wild fish making it that much more appealing. Nutritionally speaking Redfish is low in saturated fats and high in Omega 3 fatty acids known to lessen heart related ailments.

This is an example of the beneficial qualities responsible aquaculture can offer in providing high quality, healthy fish that is readily available at an affordable price. Looking to the future it will be vital that such programs exist and thrive to feed a hungry planet.

CAVIAR//12.2008

JOHN DORY//09.2008

REDFISH//08.2008

ABALONE//03.2008

AMERICAN LOBSTER//02.2008

MUSSELS//01.2008

AQUACULTURE//11.2007

PACIFIC ROCKFISH//10.2007

ARTIC CHAR //08.2007

BARRAMUNDI//07.2007

WALLEYE PIKE//07.2007

SOFT SHELL CRAB//08.2007

PACIFIC SALMON//05.2007

PACIFIC HALIBUT//04.2007

KAMPACHI //03.2007

SCALLOPS //02.2007

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