Seal basks, twice dropping fourth fish (3,4)

I believe the answer is:

sea bass

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'fish' is the definition.
(I know that sea bass is a type of food fish)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sea bass that I've seen before include "Saltwater fish" , "Marine food fish" , "Edible marine fish" , "one showing off plenty of scales" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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