Fresh Catch, Fresh Flavors

Hebi (Spearfish) Overview

In Hawaiʻi, spearfish is sometimes caught by long liners and by sports fishing charters who are targeting the blue waters for game fish like mahimahi and wahoo. This fish is often used in place of ono in many recipes, and works well with other preparations designed for mahimahi.

One tradition shared by sport fishers involves fish flags flown as high overhead as possible above the boat at the end of the fishing day to announce what was caught on their boat that day.

The four most common fish flags that these boats have aboard are used to identify mahimahi, ono, ʻahi, and marlin.

Since hebi has no individually designated flag, fishermen often will fly the marlin flag upside down to let other fishermen know that a spearfish was boated.

Raw pink fish fillets on display

Facts

Hawaiʻi Spearfish is an excellent source of healthy, extra lean protein. It is also low in saturated fat and low in sodium. It is rich in niacin, vitamin B12, phosphorus and selenium. Hawaiʻi Spearfish is a good source of vitamin B6 and iodine. Hawaiʻi Spearfish also provides about 350 mg of omega-3s (DHA and EPA) per 4-ounce serving of fresh fish.

Source: Nutrient analysis was performed on Hawaiʻi-caught fish by PacMar, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaiʻi under NOAA Award No. NA06NMF4520222. Nutrient labels and claims follow the NLEA Labeling Act and were prepared by Joannie Dobbs, PhD, CNS Nutrition Specialist (University of Hawaiʻi, Manoa) and John Kaneko MS, DVM (PacMar).

Fresh Catch Recipes

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Grilled Hebi Skewers

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Parmesan Crusted Hebi Salad

Two fishermen holding large spearfish on boat

Hebi with Rosemary Aioli

Spearfish

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving
Calories100
Calories From Fat5
Nutrient Amount %Daily Value*
Total Fat1g1%
Saturated Fat0g1%
Trans Fat0g
Polyunsaturated Fat0g
Monounsaturated Fat0g
Cholesterol50mg17%
Sodium125mg5%
Potassium210mg6%
Total Carbohydrates0g0%
Dietary Fiber0g0%
Sugars0g
Protein23g46%
Vitamins Minerals
Vitamin A0%
Vitamin C0%
Calcium0%
Iron2%
Niacin50%
Vitamin B610%
Vitamin B1230%
Phosphorus20%
Iodine10%
Magnesium8%
Selenium90%

Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.