Market Report: January 11, 2016

January 12, 2016

sheepshead

Sheepshead

Best known for their teeth that look like they came from a human mouth, sheepshead are an inshore species and are commonly found around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks.  They move nearshore during late winter and early spring for spawning.

Sheepshead have tough skin, heavy scales and strong fin spines, making them more difficult to clean than most fish. Although sheepshead are difficult to clean, the flesh is excellent. It’s meat is very white and firm with a flavor similar to crabmeat, small grouper and drum. Sheepshead is best prepared pan-fried, broiled, sautéed, or grilled whole. Sheepshead can also be used in soups and chowders, and they can even be used to make imitation crab meat.

Like most lean fish, sheepshead cook quickly, so it’s easy to overcook them. When the flesh is cooked for too long, it can get dry and somewhat tough. How can you tell when whole sheepies are done? Watch the backbone – the meat will draw away from the backbone. The flesh on whole dressed fish and in fillets will turn from almost clear to white when completely done.

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Notes from our buyer

Halibut
East Coast Halibut has limited availability right now, and prices are high. Please call your sales rep for availability.

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Mahi

Mahi prices are coming down a little with good availability.

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American Red Snapper-
We were able to get fish from Galveston this week. Whole fish ranging in size from 1-2, 2-4, and 4-8.
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Golden Tile-
Golden Tile from the Gulf is available. A very lean fish and perfect for the most select menus

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Fresh Crabmeat
Cold weather has affected the availability of fresh Domestic Crabmeat. What little is available varies day by day. We are able to get Fresh Crabmeat out of Venezuela, which is currently available with good prices. Call your sales rep today to place an order.

 

Clams & Mussels

Littleneck Clams and Mussels are in good supply, with good availability

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Icelandic Cod

Availability is looking good, we have a shipment arriving this week. Product is available in fillet and loin form.

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Artic Char

Arctic Char is a unique strain of saltwater char sustainably farm-raised in Iceland. Often compared to salmon and trout, Arctic Char has a distinct, sweet buttery flavor and firm pink flesh that sets it apart from other fish on the market

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East Coast Oysters

We have a nice variety of oysters this week from the East Coast. Make sure you are on our East Coast oyster list that we send out every week.

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Gulf Oysters
We are getting oysters out of Texas with no problem. Availability out of Louisiana and Mississippi has tightened up, and probably will be for the next few weeks.

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Redfish & Striped Bass
The availability on jumbo sized redfish (2.5-3lb) continues to be limited. Extra Jumbo (3lb and up) are in decent supply and will be more available than the smaller sizes. Striped Bass is a great option this time of year as well..
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Salmon
Chilean Salmon prices are holding steady, with all sizes available. North Sea salmon prices are still up, with availability continuing to improve this week

 

Wild Isles Organic Salmon –

We usually do not have many issues with availability of the Wild Isle Salmon. However, this past week a bad storm came through and they were not able to harvest. We should be back on track later this week.

This E.U Certified Organic salmon is unlike any other farm raised salmon where it is raised in the open ocean of the Shetland Islands, and not in a Loch or Bay like other farms raised salmons. Its certified sustainable aquaculture methods are free from all antibiotics, hormones, & GMO, and its feed is certified organic and uses no synthetic coloring or pigments added.

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Scallops

U10 Dry Scallop prices are holding steady. We expect decent supplies for the coming weeks.

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Tuna
Tuna production is tight with prices up a little. Fish is limited coming out of Costa Rica as many of their fishermen are still on holiday. We will have great 2+ and #1 fish arriving this week.

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Grouper
Red and black grouper are available in the market. Call your sales rep for prices and availability.

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Black Drum
We have new fish arriving from Hackberry, LA. Great blackened, fried, baked, grilled, or any way you choose. Get with your sales rep for an order, this fish sells fast!

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Seabass
We have a variety of seabass sizing options.  We continue to carry H&G 20-30 kg as well as a smaller 10-20 kg if that is more of what you’re looking for. Prices are continuing to move up.

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Swordfish
Swordfish prices are still on the rise, and the market has tightened up. We will have product arriving for the weekend.

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Wolf Fish
Ever tried it? This is a great fish that is perfect for grilling or baking. The ferocious-looking wolfish gets its name from the sharp, protruding teeth it uses to feast on lobsters, clams and other shellfish.  Found from southern New England to Greenland and the Barents Sea, the bottom dwelling cold water creature is primarily a bycatch of trawl fisheries targeting cod, haddock and other ground fish. Iceland, which has a direct fishery for the species, is the largest producer.

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Rainbow ‘Green’ and Ruby Trout
The larger sizes of the Ruby Trout are more available than they have been. For the next few months 8-10 oz and 10-12 oz Ruby will be available, but limited.

The rainbow trout supply seems to be stable. The variety of the cuts and sizes of this fish never cease to amaze me. There are many options to meet your menu specifications.

 

Wild Isles Ocean Trout –

The All Natural Ocean Trout (Steelhead) is an amazing sashimi quality ocean trout with a higher fat content then salmon and a great flavor that lends itself to any type of cooking or smoking.