White monkfish
Lophius piscatorius
What to check for
Location
Celtic Seas (South), Bay of Biscay: Cornwall
Technical location
27 - Atlantic, Northeast, 8b: Bay of Biscay (Central), 8a: Bay of Biscay (North), 8d: Bay of Biscay (Offshore), 7: Irish Sea, Porcupine Bank, English Channel, Bristol Channel, Celtic Seas, West and Southwest of Ireland
Caught by
Net (gill or fixed)
Rating summary
For more information about this rating please visit: https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/monkfish-white.php
How we worked out this Rating
Stock status
The size and health of a fish population, or 'stock', that is being targeted by fishermen is a crucial indicator of whether a fishery is sustainable. If the stock is too small to withstand fishing, it is at risk of crashing. We look at how big the stock is, and how much pressure there is from fishing, to assess this. The target level that many fisheries aim for is 'Maximum Sustainable Yield' - the most fish that can be caught year after year whilst keeping the population at a healthy size.
White anglerfish in the Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay is not overfished and not subject to overfishing.Reference points for white anglerfish were established in 2022 for this Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay stock.The spawning stock biomass (SSB) in this area has increased overall from a low of around 21,580 tonnes in 2005 to 55136t in 2022 - well above target levels (MSY BTrigger = 28275t). Therefore, the stock is not in an overfished state. Recruitment has averaged 117 million between 2013-2022. Assumed recruitment in 2021 and 2022 is close to the average at 109.6 and 108.6 million respectively.Fishing mortality (F) has been generally declining since 2013 from 0.25 to 0.15 in 2021. This is below levels associated with Maximum Sustainable Yield (FMSY = of 0.19). The stock is therefore not subject to overfishing.ICES advises that when the MSY approach is applied, catches in 2023 should be no more than 34,476 tonnes. The new methodology, based on the benchmark, has changed the estimated fishing mortality and recruitment estimates altering catch advice.
Management
Good management is vital to be sure that fishing doesn't cause fish populations to decline. We look at whether regulations follow the best available scientific advice, how well compliance is monitored and enforced, and whether this is effective in maintaining healthy fish stocks.
For more information about this rating please visit: https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/monkfish-white.php
Capture method
Environmental impacts of fishing vary hugely, depending on the method used and where it's happening. We look at whether the fishing gear being used could have an effect on seabed habitats, and if so, how severe might this be. We also review whether it catches any other species by accident (bycatch), and what effect this might have on those species - especially if they're Endangered, Threatened, or Protected.
For more information about this rating please visit: https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/monkfish-white.php
References
For more information about this rating please visit: https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/monkfish-white.php
Sustainable swaps
Learn more about how we calculate our sustainability ratings.
How our ratings work
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