The Daily Meal asked, "What is a Chilean Sea Bass?".

The fish species that became popular for human consumption in the 1990s was the Chilean sea bass.It is not a member of the bass family.The name "Chilean sea bass" was chosen because it was the first country to bring it to the popular market and was considered more commercially viable than "toothfish".

Consumers were warned at the turn of the 21st century that the rapidly diminishing number of sea bass in the Atlantic could lead to extinction.Many well regarded chefs removed it from their menu and looked for alternative sources for the rich, white-meat fish.The fish can live for up to 50 years if they are allowed to mature on their own.

The prehistoric appearance of the Chilean sea bass makes it not an attractive fish.It has large eyes, a thrusting jaw, and a muddy skin color.The athletic deep sea lifestyle results in a delicious white meat that has minimal oils and a firm texture, standing up well to grilling, baking, saute, and other cooking applications.The population of this fish began to decline after it became trendy in the 1990s.

Chilean sea bass is a fish that grows and matures slowly.Commercial fishing wiped out much of the breeding stock.Regulations were taken but the illegal harvest of the fish continued.

A group of 24 countries are working together to monitor fishing practices and issue certificates to show that the fish is caught legally.To be sure that the fish has been legally obtained, consumers should request a certificate.The aim of the catch limits is to harvest the fish in a sustainable way.

Consumers should not support the sea bass industry until the fish is back to normal.Consumers should ask about the provenance of the fish if the lure of it in a restaurant is too much.If a restaurant can't provide documentation for the fish, it may have been illegally collected.

On a commercial level, fish suppliers must provide certificates to restaurants and other wholesale buyers, and restaurant owners can help support the fishery by asking for documentation.Documentation for the fish can be requested by supermarkets and fishmongers.Humans can ensure that this species will be there for future generations to enjoy by working together to preserve precious marine resources.