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Gurnard, Grey (Eutrigla gurnardus)

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Common name - Gurnard, Grey
Scientific name - Eutrigla gurnardus
Rating
  • 1
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  • 5
Caught at sea Demersal otter trawl
Capture Area North East Atlantic  FAO 27
Stock Area All Areas
Stock Detail I- IX
Summary
Grey gurnard appears to be the most resilient of the three gurnard species encountered in the north east Atlantic, and is taken as bycatch in trawl fisheries in deeper offshore waters. Due to it's low commercial the species suffers from high levels of discarding. More biological and fisheries data is required in order to determine stock status and manage it appropriately. Avoid eating immature fish (less than 24cm) and fresh (not previously frozen) fish caught during the spawning season (April-August).
Biology
Gurnards belong to a group of fish known collectively as Trigliadae (sea robins). Grey gurnard, occurs in the eastern Atlantic from Iceland, Norway, southern Baltic, and North Sea to southern Morocco, and Madeira Islands. It is also found in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. In the North Sea and in Skagerrak/Kattegat, grey gurnard is an abundant demersal species. They have a strong seasonal migration throughout the North Sea. It forms dense semi-pelagic aggregations in winter to the northwest of the Dogger Bank: in summer, grey gurnard are more widespread. The species is less abundant in the English Channel, the Celtic Sea, and in the Bay of Biscay. Although an offshore species, grey gurnard is occasionally found in shallow water. They spawn from April to August in deep water. The maximum life span rarely exceeds 6 years. They can attain a length of 45cm, but are usually around 30cm. Sexually mature at a length of about 18cms and an age of 3 years (males) and about 24cms and 4 years (females).Gurnards are able to grunt or growl by the use of muscles associated with the swim bladder, and this is believed to aid in keeping schools together.
Stock Information
Currently there is no TAC for this species and the stock structure of the species is unknown. There is insufficient information to evaluate the status of the grey gurnard in the Northeast Atlantic. Therefore, based on precautionary considerations, ICES advises that catches should not be allowed to increase in 2012. There is no specific information available about the stock status of the grey gurnard, but survey indices suggest the species has become increasingly abundant since the late 1980s. Separate stocks possibly exist in the North Sea and in the Skagerrak. In the North Sea, three areas with high abundance have been distinguished, suggesting three sub-populations: northwest of the Dogger Bank, one around Shetland and one in the Skagerrak/Kattegat. There is a relatively high abundance in the Celtic Sea, but abundance in the eastern Channel is relatively low when compared to the North Sea. Very few grey gurnards are encountered in the Bay of Biscay. There is currently no management for any of the gurnard species in the EU - there is no minimum landing size, no quota, and no effort, seasonal, temporal or technical regulations for the species. For management purposes, information is required on landings, stock structure and biological data in order to achieve their sustainable exploitation in the longer term.
Capture Information
Currently, grey gurnard is a bycatch species in demersal fisheries. Catches are largely discarded. There is a potential for damage to seabed by trawling. Trawling is also associated with discarding of unwanted fish, i.e. undersized and/or non-quota and/or over-quota species.
References
ICES. 2010. Report of the Working Group on Assessment of New MoU Species (WGNEW), 1115 October 2010, ICES Headquarters, Denmark. ICES CM 2010/ACOM:21. 185 pp.
Alternatives
(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)
Read what the consumer pages of the Good Fish Guide say about this species.