Sablefish (Black Cod) - What to know, when + where to get it
Sablefish
(year-round)
Sablefish are a deep-sea species that live along the continental slope of North America from northern Mexico to the Bering Sea. It is not uncommon for fishermen to pull these sleek blackish-gray creatures with lighter underbellies to the surface from depths of more than 3,000 feet, using hooks, traps and trawls. They are often referred to as black cod by both consumers and fishermen. While they may share a similar appearance to cod, sablefish are not a member of the cod family.
Sablefish have a flaky, oily flesh when cooked with a mild flavor, a soft buttery texture, and pearly white color. They’re not as versatile as other species because of their delicate meat and are often less forgiving in the kitchen than species with firmer flesh, but with practice and patience they’re one of the most rewarding species to bring into your kitchen. If you’re curious, many local chefs serve sablefish pan-seared with pasta or with a delectable miso marinade and even soy-ginger glazes.
Buying Tips
• Ask for fresh, local sablefish or buy it straight from local fishermen
• To save money consider buying whole sablefish
• Buy frozen sablefish when fresh isn’t available
Seafood Illustration courtesy of “Monterey Bay Aquarium®
Sablefish Recipes
Ian's Famous Miso-Marinated Black Cod
(Ocean2Table)
Coconut-lime Black Cod
(Real Good Fish)
Three ways with Sablefish
(Sunset Magazine)
More about Sablefish
Sablefish: life, habitat, and management
Sablefish start their lives in deep water before they hatch and rise to the ocean surface as larvae. In the first 6 to 7 years of their lives, juveniles can migrate up to 2,000 miles up and down the continental shelf. There are two main populations, northern and southern. The southern population ranges from northern Mexico, through the Monterey Bay, to British Columbia. Some can also be found in the northwest Pacific off the coast of Asia.
Sablefish live in deep waters from 650 feet to 9,800 feet on sandy and muddy slopes often around seamounts and submarine canyons. Juveniles typically inhabit shallower waters closer to the shore. They are a long-lived species with some living up to 90 years, but typically live up to 20 year in areas commonly fished. Like rockfish, scientists can determine their age by counting rings on their otoliths (ear bones). Adult sablefish average 28 inches in length and just over 8 pounds, but can reach sizes of 45 inches and 55 pounds — especially in Alaskan waters.
They are opportunistic predators that eat almost any other fish they can get their mouths around within their habitat. Sablefish harvested from the Monterey Bay are rated “Best Choice” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.
Where & When to Find Sablefish
Sablefish are accessible for many different sectors of commercial fishing (e.g. hook n’ line, traps and trawl), which contributes to their year-round availability.
You can buy sablefish directly from local fishermen off the dock, at local restaurants, grocery stores, and fish markets —check out our Local Catch page for more information, or check out our recipes page for tips on how to store, prepare, and cook sablefish and other seafood.
Want a fun calendar to remind you of what is in season here in Monterey Bay? Download + print our seafood seasonality guide (downloadable pdf).