For a decade, fishermen in the northeast thrived as they supplied high-quality butterfish to Japan. Millions of pounds of butterfish were dried, grilled, and served, often for breakfast. However, the boom didn’t last. Heavy fishing pressure reduced the size of butterfish, coupled with a Japanese recession and resistance to higher prices. European Horse Mackerel quickly replaced the American Butterfish in the Japanese diet, pushing butterfish back into obscurity.
Since the ’90s, butterfish stocks have rebounded in the northeast and stocks in the gulf remain strong, but its popularity hasn’t surged. Despite its American origin and cost-effectiveness, butterfish remains relatively unknown and underappreciated.
One reason for butterfish’s slow adoption is confusion about its identity. Often, it’s mistaken for other fish, like black cod (great but expensive) or escolar (know to cause digestive discomfort) leading to misconceptions. True American Gulf Butterfish is rich in heart-healthy omega-3s and an excellent alternative to more expensive and less healthy proteins like red meat.
While butterfish’s small size prevents easy filleting, it’s far from a “trash fish.” It’s almost spineless, except for a micro-spine at the base of the anal fin, making it ideal for whole consumption. Its flavor is just as good as other popular white meat fish like cod, tilapia, and pollock. Butterfish shines when grilled, baked, or fried whole.
Its rapid reproduction and short lifespan make it resilient to fishing pressure. It’s a sustainable, healthy, and cost-effective option for consumers. Blue Magic Seafood is dedicated to making butterfish a staple in the American seafood diet. And with booming stocks in the Gulf and our vessels targeting butterfish in the Gulf (the only American fishing vessels in the Gulf targeting this species), we’re ready to do just that.
Discover how this small but flavorful fish can be a delicious addition to your diet. Try our Japanese-style butterfly grilled butterfish recipe or our Caribbean baked butterfish recipe.