Utilization of Red Hake

It has been estimated that the optimal yield of red hake, Urophycis chuss (also called squirrel hake, mud hake, and ling), is 32,000 metric tons (t). This is an increase from the 1978 optimal yield estimate which was 16,000 t. The international catch of this fish from Georges Bank in 1977 was 2,879 t with the U.S. commercial catch being just 96 t. Thus, there is an abundant resource of this species for development. At present the utilization of red hake in the United States is minor with just a limited market for fresh fillets or whole fish. This species has an excellent, mild flavor with a slightly soft texture which progressively deteriorates during storage at refrigerator temperatures above freezing. In the United States, red hake is usually not marketed in any form other than fresh. Seafood processors are constantly searching for new resources that would open new markets. One opportunity for this would be the expansion of the red hake fishery and subsequent development of a domestic fish block manufactory. A major deterrent to the development of a market for frozen red hake is the relatively short storage life of this species at commercial