Issue 10, October 2018

What's a trash fish?

Why do we label certain unfortunate fish species as "trash fish"? Which characteristics lead us to do so? While some traits are obvious, others are less apparent. First and foremost, most species we consider trash fish on the Gulf Coast simply aren't appealing to our palate. But one man's trash fish is another man's delicious dinner; for example, bluefish (Pomatomus saltritrix) are popular table fare along the East Coast of the United States, but are seldom eaten along the Gulf Coast. Sometimes, a fish can shed the "trash fish" moniker; for instance, gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), one of the tastiest fish in the Gulf, was once considered a trash fish!

This month, we'll explore some of the Gulf Coast's most notorious trash fish, and take a closer look at some of their most interesting characteristics. Who knows - perhaps you'll be inspired to try one! But then again, perhaps you shouldn't...

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