Sablefish (Farmed)

Sablefish are a deepwater species native to the Pacific Northwest. They are a tasty source of protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and fetch a high price in local markets. The United States currently does not produce farmed sablefish commercially. However, with the species popularity and prized taste there is a growing interest in commercial farming.

• Sablefish look much like cod. They are often referred to as black cod, even though they are not actually part of the cod family.

• Females can grow more than 3 feet in length.
• Females are able to reproduce at 6 ½ years old and more than 2 feet in length.
• Males are able to reproduce at age 5 and 1.9 feet in length.
• Female sablefish usually produce between 60,000 and 200,000 eggs.
• Sablefish can live to be more than 90 years old.

• Permitting for sablefish aquaculture is governed by federal, state, and local governments.
• The federal agencies involved are NOAA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Coast Guard.
• Sablefish farms must adhere to federal regulations including those in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.