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Fishing pressure (F) is below FMSY and Spawning stock biomass (SSB) is above MSY Btrigger. Management of the stock is only partly effective. Management should be implemented at the stock level as currently the TAC does not match the stock area and there is potential for catches to exceed advice. Some monkfish are caught using gillnets. Bycatch is moderate and may include vulnerable species.Rating last updated: January 2025.

Monkfish in the North Sea was benchmarked in 2024. Fishing pressure (F) is below FMSY and Spawning stock biomass (SSB) is above MSY Btrigger. Management of the stock is only partly effective. Management should be implemented at the stock level as currently the TAC does not match the stock area and there is potential for catches to exceed advice. Most monkfish are caught using otter trawls, these can interact with the seabed and modify bottom topography causing damage and removal of some biogenic features including vulnerable marine habitats and benthic communities. There may also be bycatch of vulnerable species. Rating last updated: January 2025.

White anglerfish in the Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. There is no management plan for white monkfish in the Celtic Seas (South) and Bay of Biscay, but some measures are in place, which are partly effective in managing the stock. There is no minimum landing size and there are concerns that catch limits are set for both black-bellied and white anglerfish together, preventing effective control of fishing for the separate species. However, the stock size of both species is increasing and neither species appears to be at risk of over-exploitation. Habitat impacts from beam trawling include abrasion and smoothing, as the fishing gear makes contact with the seabed. They can also have high bycatch, potentially of vulnerable species.Rating last updated July 2022.

White anglerfish in the Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. There is no management plan for white monkfish in the Celtic Seas (South) and Bay of Biscay, but some measures are in place, which are partly effective in managing the stock. There is no minimum landing size and there are concerns that catch limits are set for both black-bellied and white anglerfish together, preventing effective control of fishing for the separate species. However, the stock size of both species is increasing and neither species appears to be at risk of over-exploitation. Otter trawlers interact with the seabed and can modify bottom topography and cause damage and removal of some biogenic features including vulnerable marine habitats and benthic communities. Bycatch is moderate and may include vulnerable species.Rating last updated July 2022.

White anglerfish in the Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. There is no management plan for white monkfish in the Celtic Seas (South) and Bay of Biscay, but some measures are in place, which are partly effective in managing the stock. There is no minimum landing size and there are concerns that catch limits are set for both black-bellied and white anglerfish together, preventing effective control of fishing for the separate species. However, the stock size of both species is increasing and neither species appears to be at risk of over-exploitation. Gillnets in this area can encounter bycatch of non-target fish, mammals and birds. This includes the harbour porpoise which is vulnerable in Europe. Based on the available information, gillnet fisheries in some areas could be over-exploiting this species and causing it to decline.Rating last updated July 2022.