Red seabream, Blackspot seabream | Good Fish Guide | The consumer guide to sustainable seafood

Common name - Red seabream, Blackspot seabream

Scientific name - Pagellus bogaraveo

Average rating

Visit Fishonline for the full range of options available for this species.

Consumer Information

Seabream are a group of compact, medium-sized fishes known as Sparidae. The Black Bream or porgy and the Red or Blackspot Bream are commonly found in northern European seas and are commercially fished. However, the bulk of the Seabream in the UK market comes from imports of Mediterranean farmed Gilthead bream. Of the two wild-caught species Black Bream is the more sustainable. Avoid eating immature Black Bream (less than 23cm) caught prior to and during their spawning season (April & May in UK inshore waters ), thus allowing them chance to spawn or reproduce. Red Seabream have a low resilience to fishing due to being hermaphroditic (sex-changing) and slow growing. Stocks range from fully exploited to severely depleted. Avoid eating Red Seabream. If buying farmed Bream look for organically grown fish as its production involves lower stocking densities, less chemicals and the use of sustainable feed. Sea Bream has firm white meat and is similar in taste and texture to Bass. Usually baked, steamed or pan-fried whole.

Summary

Red seabream are a vulnerable species that has been overfished. The stocks are either unknown or depleted and there is no management for the species. The fishery is currently unsustainable. Avoid red seabream.

Alternatives

(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)

Black bream or porgy or seabream

Visit Fishonline, the website for the seafood industry, for more detailed information about this species.