Escolar Lepidocymbium flavobrunneum

Vernacular names:
Es: Escolar negro
Fr: Escolier noir
In: Escolar

Local names:
Ecuador: Miramelindo
Perú: Escolar

Commercial names:
Escolar

Simile of international trade:
Ruvettus pretiosus

Geographical distribution:
Its distribution goes from 32° 43' N to 06° 00' S in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Habitat and biology:
Mesopelagic, batipelagic and oceanic species. It feeds on crustaceans and squids.

Length:
Its mean length is 120 cm (SL), though they can be specimens of 200 cm (SL).

Principal ports of landing:
Esmeraldas, Manta, San Mateo, Puerto López, Santa Rosa, Anconcito and Puerto Bolívar.

Types of fisheries:
Artisanal and bycatch (longiners industrial boats)

Fishing season:
All year round.

Landings:
the annual unloading average is 56 tons in the artisanal fisheries.

Types of vessel:
Fiberglass and wood balandras boats.

Importance:
Its flesh is oily and has purgative properties (gempylotoxin). In Ecuador, the companies that export this product warn of this matter according the recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Processing (fresh):

H&G:
Headless, gutted; tail and skin on.

Fillets:
Fillets skinless and bonless.

Packing:

H&G:
Waxed cardboard boxes, insulated, plastic liner, with gel packs.

Fillets:
Waxed cardboard boxes, insulated, plastic liner, vacuum packed, with gel packs.