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NEW BEDFORD (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts has been home to a strong fishing industry for centuries, but we've fished some species until they're almost completely gone.
Now some experts say that there are other fish in the sea. Bycatch — the fish that fishermen catch by accident — could be a key way to let those popular fish get back to normal levels.
"As high as 98% of the cod fish and haddock stocks have been depleted," said Certified Executive Chef Henry Bousquet of New Bedford. "That's frightening for a community that makes its living on the water," he said.
Hake, Skate, Scup, Dogfish and Monkfish are some of the species that frequently come ashore with other fish. Stephanie Sykes, of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance, said people aren't avoiding the fish because they're not tasty.
Skate, a Stingray-looking fish that is abundant in our waters, is actually a delicacy in other places.
"I've spoken to people even down at the fish pier that are visitors that have actually eaten it...at a fancy French restaurant and said it was delicious," she said.
Sykes and Bousquet are urging consumers to ask for Skate and other lesser-known species.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports:
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Written by Chaiel Schaffel