Fish of the Day - week 10 - coley.

Coley or coalfish, also known as saithe or locally as blackjack are a large whitefish similar to cod. 

They are caught and landed predominantly by the netters like the Ocean Pride when working on wrecks.

In Germany, they are preferred to cod where there has been a big market ever since the days of the distant water fleets fishing from Grimsby, Hull and Fleetwood. Rockall often provided big shots of coley - with some larger vessels making the long steam from the Rock to land direct to Germany in the 80s.

But the taste for coley has never quite matched that of the Germans in the UK. Years ago, when there was a Macfisheries shop on many high streets coley were sold as 'cat fish'. The flesh is firm and flaky but can be used in fish stews or pies.

An average price for saithe on the market would be around £3.00 per kilo.