Guidelines in Buying Fish

Fish and shellfish are daily food for people near coastal areas and inland waters. Modern ways of fish harvesting, processing and packaging have made fish and shellfish available throughout the year. Fish are classified as fin fish if they have skeletal bones and shellfish if they live in a shell and have no bones. Fin fish are further classified as fresh water and salt water fish. Shellfish are classified as mollusks and crustaceans.

Fresh and frozen fish are available on different forms, depending on the size of the fish, bone structure and shape. Fish are bought live, whole, dressed, fillet, steak, chunk, by chunk, by portions and sticks. The price of fish varies with the form in which it is purchased, the harvest season, maketability and consumer demands. Fish and shellfish are bought fresh, frozen, canned or cured.