May 30, 2013 — In this edition of WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, Channel 5 Boston sheds light on several fish species that are being underutilized by both the fishing community and the culinary world. While species such as skate and dogfish are both delicious and plentiful, processors and distributors still must work to improve the reputation of these species before the market can thrive.
Once considered “trash fish,” and thrown overboard by fishermen, monkfish are another underutilized species that once received little attention from industry members and consumers alike. This all changed, however, in the late 1970’s with cooking legend Julia Child’s shining endorsement of the monkfish, calling it “better than lobster.”
WCVB-TV examines the potential of these underutilized stocks with the help of various members of New Bedford, Massachusetts’ fishing community , including Rich Canastra, owner of the New Bedford Seafood Auction, and Brian Marder, President of Marder Trawling, Inc, which specializes in four species, all of which were previously considered to be “trash fish.”
Channel 5 Boston also hears from Chef Fernando Dovale of Fernando’s Grille and Bar in New Bedford, Massachusetts, as well as Chef Toby Hill, owner of Lyric Restaurant in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, who are developing new and exciting ways to prepare underutilized species.
Members of the Massachusetts’ state government also hope to see such species put to greater use. Massachusetts’ State Representative, Sarah Peake, is urging the state to buy dogfish for publically funded programs in an effort to fully-utilize these sustainably managed stocks and to create awareness amongst chefs, retailers and consumers, regarding the promising potential of these misunderstood species.
Watch the video from WCVB-TV Channel 5 Boston