A carangid jackfish native to Indian Ocean reefs, despite its common name. Highly valued in Indian coastal fisheries and a strong, spirited game fish for recreational anglers. It is also known as கருப்பு வாவல், काली पोम्फ्रेट, నల్ల పోంఫ్రెట్ and കറുത്ത പോംഫ്രെറ്റ്. Scientific name: Parastromateus niger.
Live lots change through the day. See all live lots
Firm white flesh with mild, sweet flavour and fine texture. Less oily than silver pomfret but equally prized in coastal markets.
Central backbone and ribs; relatively easy to fillet. Small pin bones near the belly require care when cleaning.
In our species guide, the main season for Black pomfret is October to March.
In November, our outlook shows it in season around Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.
Annual sea fishing bans: East coast annual fishing ban (15 Apr – 14 Jun); West coast monsoon fishing ban (1 Jun – 31 Jul). Fewer boats land fresh sea fish during these weeks.
Tamil: கருப்பு வாவல், Hindi: काली पोम्फ्रेट, Telugu: నల్ల పోంఫ్రెట్, Malayalam: കറുത്ത പോംഫ്രെറ്റ്, Kannada: ಕಪ್ಪು ಪೋಂಫ್ರೆಟ್, Bengali: কালো পম্ফ্রেট, Marathi: काळा पोम्फ्रेट, Gujarati: કાળો પોમ્ફ્રેટ.
In our species guide, the main season for Black pomfret is October to March. In November, our outlook shows it in season around Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.
Firm white flesh with mild, sweet flavour and fine texture. Less oily than silver pomfret but equally prized in coastal markets. Central backbone and ribs; relatively easy to fillet. Small pin bones near the belly require care when cleaning.
Popular dishes include Pomfret fry (Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka), Meen pollichathu (Kerala), Pomfret curry (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh) and Tandoori pomfret (Gujarat, Mumbai).
On the Fishing Journey Fish Market, FSSAI-registered sellers list fresh catch as lots. Bid up to your maximum or use Buy now where it is offered, pay from your wallet within 2 hours of winning and collect the fish with your pickup code.
Mechanised and motorised boats stop fishing at sea during the annual bans (East coast annual fishing ban (15 Apr – 14 Jun); West coast monsoon fishing ban (1 Jun – 31 Jul)), so less fresh sea fish is landed in those weeks. Check the Fish Market for live lots.
Black pomfret fishing guide: bait, season and spots
