What we Catch

Caught by our Beam Trawlers based out of Brixham, The red gurnard (Chelidonichthys cuculus), is a benthic species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Triglidae, the gurnards and sea robins. This fish is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Once underrated, Gurnard is fast gaining in popularity as word spreads about its firm white flesh and great flavour. Recognised as a more sustainable choice of fish, it’s also great value, easy to cook and really versatile.

The common sole, Dover sole, or black sole (Solea solea) is a species of flatfish in the family Soleidae. It is one of the largest fish in the Solea genus. It lives on the sandy or muddy seabed of the northern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea where it often semi-immerses itself in the substrate. The upper side is greyish-brown while the underside is white. It grows to a maximum length of about 70 cm (28 in). The species is prized as a food fish, being caught mostly by trawling on the seabed.

Cuttlefish are marine molluscs of the order Sepiida. They belong to the class Cephalopoda which also includes squid and octopuses. Cuttlefish have a unique internal shell, the cuttlebone, which is used for control of buoyancy. Caught by our trawlers and landed into Brixham, Devon, Cuttlefish has long been popular in Italy, Croatia and Spain, but – despite its abundance in the English Channel – us Brits have taken a while to catch on. Happily, cuttlefish is winning more and more fans, thanks to its sweet taste and firm texture. Give it a try, and prepare to be converted!

The European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) is a right-eyed flounder belonging to the family Pleuronectidae. It is a commercially important flatfish that lives on the sandy bottoms of the European shelf. It ranges geographically from the Barents Sea to the Mediterranean. European plaice are characterised by their smooth brown skin, with distinctive red spots and a bony ridge behind the eyes. Together with sole, European plaice form a group of flatfish that are the most important flatfish in Europe. European plaice have been fished by UK vessels for hundreds of years. They are usually fished from beam trawlers, otter trawlers or seiners.

Hake is in the same taxonomic order (Gadiformes) as cod and haddock. The fish can grow up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) in length with a lifespan of as long as 14 years. Hake may be found in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean in waters from 200 to 350 metres (660 to 1,150 ft) deep. Hake is popular in Mediterranean countries, particularly Spain, where it is hailed as ‘the king of fish’! Caught by our Netters who fish out of Newlyn, our Hake is MSC (the Marine Stewardship Council) approved meaning our catch comes from well-managed, sustainable fisheries.

‘Pollock’ or ‘Pollack’? However you choose to spell the name, it can be found of the waters off the Devon and Cornwall coast and is a member of the Cod family. Pollock can grow to 130 centimetres and can weigh up to 32 kilograms. It can be found in water up to 180 metres (600 feet; 100 fathoms) deep over rocks and anywhere in the water column. Pollock is a whitefish and has firm white flesh and a very tasty flavour.

The East Atlantic Monkfish is found along the coasts of Europe but becomes scarce beyond 60°N latitude. Their head is large, broad, flat, and depressed, with the remainder of the body appearing merely like an appendage. Monkfish are caught by our Beam Trawlers and Netters and landed in Brixham and Newlyn. Monkfish is low in fat, with firm flesh and a delicious flavour.

Commonly known as the edible crab or brown crab, this species of crab is found in the North Sea and North Atlantic Ocean. It is a robust crab of a reddish-brown colour, having an oval carapace with a characteristic “pie crust” edge and black tips to the claws. Around one-third of the weight of an adult edible crab is meat, of which one-third is white meat from the claws, and two-thirds is white and brown meat from the body.

European lobster or common lobster, is a species of clawed lobster from the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and parts of the Black Sea. Lobsters can grow to a length of 60 cm (24 in) and a mass of 6 kilograms (13 lb). Lobsters are blue, only becoming “lobster red” on cooking. Fresh from the waters of the Devon coastline, our delicious lobsters are caught for us by our potters and landed in Newlyn and Salcombe.

Found in abundance along the Devon and Cornwall coast, Whelks are enjoying a deserved resurgence in popularity. Buccinum undatum, the common whelk or the waved buccinum, is a large, edible marine gastropod in the family Buccinidae, the “true whelks”. They prefer colder temperatures, and cannot survive at temperatures above 29 °C. This species is mainly found on soft bottoms in the sublittoral zone, and occasionally on the littoral fringe, where it is sometimes found alive at low tide. Whelks are caught by the Becci of Ladram and Berlewen using pots.