What is Descaling fish?

Descaling fish — Removing the scales from a fish is best done by first cutting off the fins and then holding on to the tail and scraping away the scales the 'wrong' way - from tail to head with a large knife. This tends to be a messy job because the scales often fly about, so it's best to do it in a carrier bag. Or easier still, buy your fish from a good fishmonger and they'll do it for you!