Skate liver oil... members of the same family as Ratfish
Tue, 2009-09-08 13:50 — daveSkates are members of the same family of fish as Ratfish and Sharks. They are bottom feeders and found in all oceans of the world. There is limited fishing of this fish as the market for their meat is limited to just a few cultures.
Skate livers are very large and produce a very deep orange pigmented oil. I knew little of this fish species but was told by an old Russian fisherman that i needed to make this oil. He spoke broken English so the conversation on the subject was short and to the point.
Since the Skate Liver oil introduction I have found many historical writings on the use of Skate liver oil during the 18th and 19th centuries. I am particularly intrigued by the comparison between Dr. Prices notes on the color of oils that he identified as rich in activator X and the skate liver oil's deep rich orange color.
People who use the skate liver oil will defend the product as the one they need and will not give it up.
