Chilean sea bass...why so expensive?

[BigBlueMouse]

I just paid $20 per pound for Chilean sea bass, and I don't remember it being that expensive. Is it being overharvested and hard to come by?

I'll still buy it. I love the taste of the meat, it resembles that of crab. I think it lends itself nicely to steaming.

Any comments on this fish?

[Ishbel]

Most of the seabass in the UK is either locally caught or raised on fish farms in the Med, mainly Greece, so I can't help you with your query.

[marmalady]

Chilean sea bass became so popular so fast that it's practically been fished out. A lot of restaurants won't buy it anymore, and the same with seafood markets. Where did you get yours?

Here's an interesting article that explains more - http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...2_seabass.html

[Ishbel]

Thanks for the article, Marmalady. It made interesting reading. Especially to learn that Chilean Sea Bass isn't a bass at all!

[marmalady]

YW, Ishbel - It was a good article; makes me mad when things get run into extinction to satisfy commercialism. Grrrr.

[BigBlueMouse]

Originally Posted by marmalady

Where did you get yours?

I found mine at my local seafood monger in frozen portions. When I lived in Milwaukee I could buy it fresh, and I saw it all the time years ago for about 8 bucks a pound. As I've stated, I paid $20 per pound for the latest gems.

I know that some or most of you are sensitive to overfishing, but if you haven't tried this fish and have the opportunity to do so, check it out. The taste and texture is unlike any other fish.

[marmalady]

Yes, I do remember it being about $8/lb some time ago. And you're right, it's a wonderful fish - but there are other wonderful fishies out there, too.

Off topic, but I recently saw an episode of Crocodile Hunter (I confess, I'm an Irwin groupie!) where he was trying to save some sharks who had been 'fished' by the local Indonesions to make shark fin soup. They apparently cut off their top, side and bottom fins, and then let the sharks go back in the water. Awful.

[Michael in FtW]

Originally Posted by BigBlueMouse

When I lived in Milwaukee I could buy it fresh ...

Since it comes from Antarctic waters - I strongly doubt it was "fresh" and not "thawed" in Milwaukee, or anywhere else in the world.

I did have a chance to eat it, once, about 10 years ago and it was great. But since it has become overfished - I'll pass and hope the species has a chance to recover so that my grandchildren may someday have a chance to taste it.

[BigBlueMouse]

I'm sure you're probably right about the thawed fish, but it certainly was in abundance.

I'll continue eating it. It's not like I'm trying to be a snob in some high class restaurant, and it certainly isn't like the bear hunt that is to take place in New Jersey just to kill a mammal for the sake of killing or just to keep the pelt. I just really find the fish's meat a delicious snack. I'm sure that it wasn't myself in Milwaukee who bought a filet once every three weeks that led to the waning population, but rather the upscale restaurants that massively touted it to be something very special, although yes, I did contribute to the consumption.

[petrofsky]

Well, my two cents worth from Marathon, Florida is that most resturants in thre US and in Florida will not order Chelian Sea Bass. For the exact reason is that this fish has been over fished. It is as simple as that. We must give the fish a chance to recouperate in some kind of fashion. And that is why there was a boycot or a whatever to not provide a market for the fish.
This fish is my favoriote! I love it with butter and garlic sauce with fresh lemon squeesed on the top! Mmmnnn Good.... and of course Grouper is also close to being this delicious. But the Cheilian is like butter!