Ocean Perch
Cookus realeefastus
1
kilogram

average weight

Lives near the bottom of the ocean in areas with rocky bottoms

2

types in Canada

8
years

sustainable age

History

The funny thing about ocean perch is, well, it isn't perch. At least it wasn't until the 1930s when a shortage of yellow perch sent fishermen scrambling to fill the market gap. Ocean redfish tasted like perch, even looked like perch. So it got new name: ocean perch. And since there are no rules for naming fish, the new moniker stuck.

Best sustainable option

Ocean perch from Atlantic Canada.

In Season

janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec

Landed

25,127 tonnes

were brought onshore in Canada in 2014.

Did you know?

Much like you can calculate the age of a tree by counting the rings on its trunk, you can calculate the age of sea perch by counting the rings on the small bones in the fish’s middle ear.

Taste/Texture

Moist and firm filets. Mild with a slightly sweet taste.

What to look for

Can be bought whole or as steaks and filets. Steaks and filets should have white, shiny and firm flesh.

Watch a video about Ocean Perch

More videos

Meet Chef Spencer Watts

Chef Spencer Watts says cooking is the great love of his life. His father and grandfather were both cod fishermen, so a love of fishing and being on the water runs in his blood. Growing up on the lower mainland of British Columbia, Spencer was inspired by the vast array of fresh local ingredients available.

Spencer is a graduate of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. He quickly progressed through the ranks at The Westin Grand and C restaurant, while training with some of the best local talent in the culinary scene. In 2007 he opened his very own restaurant, ‘Spence on the Coast,’ in Sechelt. Later he started his own local cable cooking show called “Coast Cooking with Spence.”

Spencer is presently enjoying life in Vancouver while working on his cookbook and promoting sustainable seafood.

History

The funny thing about ocean perch is, well, it isn't perch. At least it wasn't until the 1930s when a shortage of yellow perch sent fishermen scrambling to fill the market gap. Ocean redfish tasted like perch, even looked like perch. So it got new name: ocean perch. And since there are no rules for naming fish, the new moniker stuck.

Best sustainable option

Ocean perch from Atlantic Canada.

In Season

janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec

Landed

25,127 tonnes

were brought onshore in Canada in 2014.

Did you know?

Much like you can calculate the age of a tree by counting the rings on its trunk, you can calculate the age of sea perch by counting the rings on the small bones in the fish’s middle ear.

Taste/Texture

Moist and firm filets. Mild with a slightly sweet taste.

What to look for

Can be bought whole or as steaks and filets. Steaks and filets should have white, shiny and firm flesh.