Alectis ciliaris

A member of the wide ranging jack family, African pompano is not a true pompano, though it is very similar. The easiest way to think of it is that all pompano (including African and Florida) are jacks, but not all jacks are pompano. This popular fish is found around the world in tropical coastal waters including the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico and south Atlantic. Not targeted as a commercial species, we nonetheless do get offerings of high-quality, African pompano throughout the year. Jump on it when it’s available, but don’t confuse it with Florida pompano.

Management: According to recent Seafood Watch assesments, “the U.S. Gulf of Mexico stock is stable, and overfishing in the U.S. Atlantic is unlikely. However, management is rated moderately effective overall due to limited stock status information. There are no bycatch concerns, and habitat impacts are low to moderate depending on the fishing method. The fishery’s impact on the ecosystem hasn’t been assessed, but no species of exceptional ecological importance are caught.”

Market Description: firm texture, mild flavor with slightly the richness characteristic to other jacks.

Sold as: fresh, whole/fillet/portion