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Common name - Turbot
Scientific name - Psetta maxima
Average rating
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Visit Fishonline for the full range of options available for this species.
Consumer Information
One of the most expensive fish once a symbol of luxury and ostentation - turbot belongs to a small family of left-eyed flatfish (both eyes on the left of the body. This family of fish is confined to the North Atlantic basin and includes Megrim and Brill. It is large and circular bodied and can alter its colour to match the background of the seabed. Probably overfished, as landings have shown declines in several areas. Overall the species is poorly managed in the NE Atlantic, so avoid eating wild-caught fish. Turbot is farmed in enclosed land-based tanks and thus avoids many problems associated with farming fish in open sea cages, although they are carnivorous and still reliant on wild fish for their feed. However, farmed turbot is still the best option.
Summary
There is very little management of turbot fisheries and a general absence of stock data, insufficient to evaluate stock trends. Available information suggests the North Sea stock biomass, where 90% of the catches in the Northeast Atlantic are taken, is stable, and fishing mortality has decreased in recent years. Given the poor state of knowledge and lack of management, it is difficult to regard wild caught turbot as a sustainable choice. The EU aquaculture sector for this species (http://www.fao.org/fishery/culturedspecies/Psetta_maxima/en), with a tendency towards on-shore, lower impact tank culture (production now exceeds wild capture at over 8,000t per annum), provides an alternative and MCS recommends turbot farmed onshore as a more sustainable choice. Whilst a niche market for wild trap-caught fish is also an option. Avoid eating wild-caught turbot during its spawning season, April to August, and below the size at which it matures, 30 cms.
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.