Seasonal Summer Seafood

With summer upon us, folks wanting to enjoy responsibly harvested seafood from the Gulf of Maine are asking our experts: “What’s in season now?” The answer is a little more complex than you might imagine, because what’s abundant in our waters doesn’t always match up with what is available in the marketplace. This is because what’s available depends on a number of different factors.

For example, while there are plenty of haddock, dabs, and grey sole to be harvested, fishermen may hold off on fishing if they run into too much dogfish. You may be wondering, why would plentiful fish hinder fishing efforts?

Dogfish, which move inshore in the summer months, can clog up gillnets and trawls. They’re called spiny dogfish for a reason, and picking them out of nets is not only labor intensive but can also damage gear. On top of that, the market for dogfish is tough (the majority of this species is shipped to Europe or Asia). With low prices, there is little incentive for fishermen to harvest dogfish and many will wait until dogfish move farther offshore to start fishing.

Despite these challenges, responsibly harvested seafood from our region is sure to be bountiful this summer. If you’re seeking a local species that isn’t available at the moment, try something new! The beauty of our groundfish is that they are generally mild, flaky white fish and can be easily substituted.

Here are a few seasonal species that you should try out this summer:

• Haddock: Haddock is a quintessential New England fish. A flaky, mild whitefish, its versatility is endless. While abundant on menus and in markets across the region — it’s not always local. Local haddock competes in a marketplace that is dominated by imported haddock, so be sure what you’re purchasing is local (and don’t be fooled by the “North Atlantic” label – while New England is technically the North Atlantic, it probably means Iceland or Norway

• Dabs: Also known as American plaice. This is a delicious flounder from the Gulf of Maine. Like other flounders, they have thin, delicate fillets that are sweet and mild in flavor. Underutilized and underloved, dabs are a great choice for this summer.

• Grey sole: A perfect candidate for the classic Sole Meunière immortalized by Julia Child, this flounder is a summer special and sure to be a family favorite with its mild flavor and delicate fillet.

• Hake: Make this beauty the star of the plate! Delicious, versatile, and often compared to Atlantic cod, this underutilized species is bound for stardom with its firm, thick fillets and mild flavor.

• Monkfish: The beauty queen of the sea, monkfish has a firm, meaty flesh that can stand up to a variety of preparations — from poaching to grilling. Over the past few years, monkfish has become more commonplace, so you might already be familiar with this delicious fish.

Summer is an opportunity to highlight the wonderful diversity of well-managed and responsibly harvested seafood from the Gulf of Maine. Make it your mission this summer to enjoy this regional bounty with your friends and family!