Ocean Perch

Food featured prominently on dinner plates across the world is hardly a new phenomenon. In fact, a vast array of marine species has been providing sustenance for centuries. Among them is the ocean perch, a popular fish consumed in many different cultures. To gain a better understanding of this lean and flavorful fish, let’s explore how an ocean perch is created and delivers its succulent flesh to your dinner plate.

Origin of an Ocean Perch

The ocean perch, of the genus Sebastes in the order Scorpaeniformes, comprises several species all living within the northern hemisphere. Common varieties include Pacific Ocean perch or Red Snapper, and Atlantic Ocean perch, both found in the United States and Canada. In Europe, the related Norway haddock, which is often referred to as the ocean perch, predominate.

The spawning and eggs of an ocean perch begin in warmer seasons, typically during the months of March and April in North America and from June to August in Britain and other parts of Europe. The eggs of the fish are virtually invisible; they measure only a few millimeters in length and are encased in a gel-like substance, floating on the surface of the ocean for between one and two weeks. During this time, currents and streams help the eggs travel to new areas, where they drop from the surface of the ocean to the ocean floor.

After sinking to the bottom, the eggs remain unhatched for a few days, during which time the eggs develop into larvae. This is a fiercely competitive process, as only a handful of larvae survive in each location as the environment typically cannot sustain a large population of young ocean perch. Over time, the survival of the fittest begins to occur, as the smaller and weaker larvae die off due to lack of food or predation.

Development

Once hatched, the larvae begin to make their way towards the top of the ocean, usually forming large schools of tens of thousands. At this early stage, they have a diet which is primarily composed of zooplankton and small fish, which help to fuel their remarkable growth rate. The larvae are still immature, so they continue to feed on small organisms as they journey towards shallow seas, where there is more food available for them.

After a period of three weeks, at which point the larvae have grown to just over an inch in length, they make the switch from eating plankton to consuming small prey such as sea worms, mollusks, and small crustaceans (the latter being their favored prey). In addition to these sources of sustenance, the ocean perch have also begun to take advantage of the plentiful supply of plants found in the shallower waters.

From this point, the ocean perch continue to grow, with the adult species reaching an impressive maximum length of about two feet and a weight of up to 5 lbs. During their development, some of the more distinctive features of an ocean perch become visible, such as their signature reddish hue which serves as camouflage from predators.

Migration and Reproduction

Once mature, ocean perch will typically undertake an extensive journey of migration. In North America, this begins from April to May and continues until late summer, when the ocean perch arrive at their spawning grounds in the deeper waters of Canada and the High Arctic. Ocean perch spawn in groups; the males release sperm, and the females lay eggs, which become encased in a gel-like substance. At the same time, ocean perch can also continue to feed on zooplankton, which they consume while waiting for the fertilized eggs to drift to the surface and be carried to new locations.

Once spawned, the adults quickly return to their original home in the colder, farther away waters. This incredible journey can take several months, and this migration strategy, coupled with the fish’s fast and efficient metabolism, enables them to maintain an optimum temperature throughout their travels. During their voyage, the ocean perch continually feed on anything they can find in their path, from small shrimp to squid, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Harvesting and Processing

Once the ocean perch have returned to their home waters, the hunt to catch them begins. This can take place at any depths up to about 500 feet. During the harvest, the fish are collected by traditional bottom trawming, during which a net is dragged along the ocean floor to gather any fish in its path.

Once the harvesting vessel has collected its bounty, the next step is to move the ocean perch from the boat, where they are quickly iced down and sent to the processing plant. The processing requires a certain finesse, as it involves the removal of unwanted elements all while keeping the fish as fresh, moist, and flavorful as possible. This involves the removal of the scales, head, tail and fins, as well as removing and grinding the edible flesh into mincemeat-style products.

Finally, the ocean perch head to the dock and are sent around the country to supermarkets and restaurants. Once the fish enters this system, they go through strict quality checks to ensure they are safe to consume. From there, they can be either purchased as frozen, fresh, or cooked at a restaurant, which sees them enter your dinner plate.

Conclusion

The journey of the ocean perch from their exotic origins to and from spawning grounds and ultimately to your dinner plate is an incredible and inspiring story of strength and adaptation. From their delicate eggs to the full-grown ocean perch, the fish has been able to survive and thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions. As for the diners, the ocean perch is known for providing a lean, clean, and delicious flavor, making it an all-around great choice for any meal, from kabobs to tacos to soups and salads.