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white seabass is the largest and most prized member
of the drum family. The drums are named for the distinctive
and loud drumming sound they produce when distressed
or as a form of radar when in search of prey. Other
common drums are the Redfish of Louisiana, the seatrout
or weakfish of the Atlantic and the California corvina.
The otoliths or earbones of the white seabass have long
been considered good luck charms and were used as wampum
by early California Indians. Otoliths have been found
in Indian middens throughout California and even to
this day many fishermen save these large calcareous
earbones for ornamentation and good luck charms.
California white sea bass season takes place from early
June through September, but fish are often shipped in
from Mexico beginning in early spring. Headway has been
made in rectifying environmental problems, which depleted
the spawning capacity of the white seabass, and a breeding
program instituted in San Diego county has helped strengthen
stocks. Perhaps the best news coming out of the fishery
is that the populations, at least off California, are
believed to be on the upswing. "They're definitely
coming back," says state fish and game biologist
Steve Crook, based in Long Beach. "We suspect a
tremendous natural recovery in the stocks."
When freshly caught the white seabass is gunmetal blue
dorsally, fading to a silvery white on the lower sides
and belly. The largest recorded catch is 84 lbs. but
the average is 10 to 30 lbs. The meat is moderately
fatty, white and flaky with a fine texture and large
flake. |
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© 2001 Monterey Fish
Market, Inc. All rights reserved.
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