How Pier Seafood Is Classified

By Kerri Stout


Seafood are sea life forms, which provide food to human beings. Shellfish and fish are the ones included in most definitions. Molluscs, echinoderms, and crustaceans are the various forms of shellfish under pier seafood. Whales and dolphins are mammals that are not considered seafood anymore because people do not consume them anymore. Sea vegetables also fall under seafood.

Residents of Redondo Beach consume fish a lot as one of the many forms of sea life. There are different criteria that can be based on to classify fish. Migratory behavior and habitat are the two criteria used to classify fish in this article. Four classes of fish living in freshwater and sea are found using the two criteria. The four are, diadromous, freshwater, demersal, and pelagic fish.

Palagic fish occupy the uppermost column of the ocean or sea. They are never found at the bottom except in rare occasions. Fishes in this category can be categorized further into large and small fish. The large category comprises predator fish which feed on the small ones. The group comprises of marlin, swordfish, salmon, sharks, salmon, mackerel, and tuna among others. The small forage fishes include anchovies, sardines, menhaden, sprats, and herring. Forage fish feed on planktons although they accumulate less toxins compared to predator fish.

Demersal fishes inhabit ocean beds and the areas surrounding the bed. Groupers, cod, stingrays, and flatfish are some of the examples. Fish in pelagic group are less sedimentary than those in demersal group. Crustaceans living on ocean floors are the major food source. Muscles are less developed due to less swimming activity. Less developed muscles make their meat to be whiter.

The nature of diadromous fishes is to migrate with seasons. They are adapted to living in salty as well as freshwater. This allows them to change habitats between the two water types seasonally. Some demersal and pelagic fishes are also in the diadromous group. Examples include shad, salmon, lamprey, and eels. They eat water plants and planktons in most cases.

Fresh water masses are home for freshwater fish. Such bodies comprise of ponds, lakes, and streams. Fish farming is the main source of fishes under this category. According to statistics most fish consumed worldwide are from freshwater on farms. Trout, carp, catfish, and tilapia are some of the major examples.

Preparation of sea organisms is possible through various methods. Most commonly used methods are steaming, pan frying, broiling, baking, microwaving, grilling, and poaching. Each sea organism has it own suitable method of preparation although some can be prepared in more than one method. Preparation involves removing parts that cannot be consumed like scales, shells, and intestines. Whether dividing is needed or not depends on the type of an organism.

Seafood can go together with various ingredients, fruits, and foods. Methods of preservation methods include refrigeration, roasting, salting, steaming, and smoking. Cross-contamination can occur if prepared and raw food are kept together hence, thy must be kept separate. Preservation can affect freshness hence one should check to ensure freshness before cooking.




About the Author: