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Common name - Sole, Dover sole, Common sole
Scientific name - Solea solea
Average rating
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Visit Fishonline for the full range of options available for this species.
Consumer Information
A flatfish, longer in shape than plaice or flounder. In the UK, Dover sole were so named after the fishing port that landed the most Sole in the 19th century. Sole may be eaten fresh, but actually improves after a few days in the fridge. They are usually whole, skinned and cooked, usually grilled. They have a delicate texture and are favoured by the French because of their superb, subtle flavour. Some stocks are depleted, or recovering, due to overfishing (e.g. Irish Sea and Western Channel) so avoid eating fish caught in these areas. Choose fishing methods other than beam trawled. Dover sole from the Hastings Fleet trammel net, gill net and otter trawl fisheries in the Eastern English Channel are certified as environmentally sustainable fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council. Slip sole or ‘tongue' is used to describe a small Dover sole less than 340g. Avoid eating immature sole (less than 28cm) and fresh (not previously frozen) fish caught during the breeding season (April-June).
Summary
Dover or common sole stocks in the Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay are classified as healthy and harvested sustainably. The eastern English Channel population is healthy but fishing effort is too high. The North Sea stock is fluctuating around safe levels but harvested sustainably. Stock levels in the western Channel are below the target reference point for maximum sustainable yield and unknown in relation to precautionary levels. The state of the stocks in southwest and west Ireland are also unknown. Stocks in the Irish Sea are depleted and a closure of the fishery is recommended. Avoid eating. Choose sole from the Celtic Sea and the Bay of Biscay. Dover sole from the Hastings Fleet trammel net, gill net and otter trawl fisheries in the eastern English Channel are certified as environmentally sustainable fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council and are also more sustainable choices. Avoid beam trawl caught fish from the western Channel, west and southwest Ireland and all sole caught in the Irish Sea. In general, beam trawl caught sole are the least sustainable option for a given area. Avoid eating immature sole (less than 30cm) and fresh (not previously frozen) fish caught during the breeding season (April-June).
Alternatives
(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)
Visit Fishonline, the website for the seafood industry, for more detailed information about this species.