April 6, 2009

Occasionally, a guest will ask if we ever have flounder on the menu. Our answer is usually: Yes, we feature the largest member of the greater flounder, or flatfish, family. Halibut, with its firm, flaky, snow-white meat and sweet, clean taste, is perhaps the most delicious fish on The Fish Market’s menu.

The commercial fishing season for North Pacific halibut began on March 15, which means we should have fresh Alaskan halibut on our menus from now through mid-November. This lengthy season is the product of the well-managed aspects of the Alaskan fishery that sets quotas for vessels and method of catch (exclusively long-lines), in order to preserve the long-term health of this wonderful resource.

After hearing all this, a guest might sensibly inquire as to why these fish have two eyes on the same side of their head. For what it’s worth, the “holy flatfish” are born just like symmetrical fish, with an eye on each side of their head. The young halibut’s left eye eventually migrates over to join the other on the right side, transforming its skull into the unique shape by which they are immediately identified. The only disadvantage to this physical condition is that they spend their lives living on or near the bottom looking up. However, as their upper side coloration blends in with the ocean bottom, they avoid detection by both prey and predator. In fact, halibut are big eaters and strong swimmers who live a long time.

Please enjoy your fresh Alaskan halibut.