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Common name - Whitebait
Scientific name - Various inc. spratus spratus
Average rating
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Visit Fishonline for the full range of options available for this species.
Consumer Information
Whitebait are tiny, immature, silvery members of the herring group that are typically served deep-fried. The entire fish is eaten including head, fins and gut but typically each 'bait' is only 25-50 mm in length and about 3 mm in cross section. They are usually sold frozen and are available all year. There are concerns about the sustainability of whitebait because they are harvested in large quantities, which puts pressure on stocks. If you have concerns, ask your fishmonger for advice. Mature sprat is a more sustainable alternative to whitebait.The most popular way to cook these flavoursome fish is floured and deep fried, served with lemon wedges and freshly chopped parsley.
Summary
The term whitebait is used widely throughout the world, referring to small, usually marine, fishes. It has been reported that English whitebait is made up mostly of young sprats, mixed with the young of shad, herrings, sticklebacks, gobies and shrimps. Mature sprat is a more sustainable alternative to whitebait, which is often a mixture of juvenile fish such as herring, sprat and sandeel.
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.