Seafood: The Ocean's Treasures
Discover the ocean’s treasures with fresh, flavorful seafood. From shellfish to fish, there’s a world of taste and nutrition. Explore sustainable options, learn cooking techniques, and find delicious recipes. Whether you’re a seafood enthusiast or new to this culinary adventure, there’s something for everyone.
Crab
India hosts a rich diversity of crab species, and many chefs prize them for their culinary value. Common Indian crabs include the mud crab, the mangrove crab, and the swimming crab. These crustaceans live in coastal waters, estuaries, and mangrove forests. They eat various marine organisms.
The best time to catch crabs in India occurs during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September. During this period, heavy rainfall and increased water flow can flush crabs out of their burrows and into the open waters. Fishermen often use traditional methods to harvest crabs. These include hand-picking, trapping, and netting. However, local regulations and fishing practices may vary across India.
Prawns
Prawns, also known as shrimp, are another popular seafood delicacy in India. They are smaller than crabs and have a more slender body shape. Indian waters are home to various prawn species, including the tiger prawn, the whiteleg shrimp, and the Indian white prawn.
Like crabs, the best time to catch prawns in India often coincides with the monsoon season. The increased rainfall and freshwater runoff can attract prawns to coastal areas and estuaries. Fishermen use trawling, casting nets, and prawn traps to catch these crustaceans. However, fishermen may vary their prawn-fishing practices by region and target species.
Surmai
In India, people prize surmai, also known as king mackerel, for its delicious taste and firm texture. A large, predatory fish inhabits the Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. People know surmai for its distinctive silver-blue color and dark stripes on its sides.
The best time to catch surmai in India varies depending on factors such as location and seasonal migration patterns. But, the monsoon (June to September) and post-monsoon (October to December) are good times to catch surmai. During these times, the increased rainfall and changes in water currents can bring surmai closer to the coast. Fishermen often use fishing rods, trolling, and casting nets to catch surmai.
Pomfret (Paplet)
The Indian Pomfret (Paplet) is a highly prized fish in India, known for its mild flavor, soft texture, and versatility in cooking. It belongs to the family Stromateidae and is typically found in the coastal waters of the Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. There are two main types of pomfret – black pomfret and silver pomfret. This fish is a favorite in many regional cuisines. It is popular in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kerala. There, it is often grilled, fried, or used in curries.
The best time to catch Indian pomfret is post-monsoon, from October to December. The sea is calmer and the water is warmer then. So, the fish are more abundant near the shores. Pomfret is also caught during the pre-monsoon period (March to June), as the fish remain active and the water conditions are stable. The monsoon season (July to September) is usually avoided for pomfret fishing. The rough seas and fishing bans to protect marine life make it unsafe.
Indian Salmon (Rawas)
The Rawas, or Indian Salmon, is a prized fish. People know it for its rich flavor, firm texture, and high nutrition. It is a Lates calcarifer. It is common along India’s west coast, especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat’s waters. Chefs know Rawas for its mild, buttery taste, and they often prepare it in curries, grill it, or fry it, making it a favorite in coastal Indian cuisine.
Rawas is usually caught in the post-monsoon season (October to February). The seas are calmer then, and the fish migrate closer to the shore in search of food. This period provides favorable conditions for fishing, making it the prime time for catching Rawas. It can also be found in the pre-monsoon months (March to May). However, fishing is less frequent during the monsoon (June to September). This is due to rough seas and fishing restrictions to protect marine life.