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Gurnard, Red (Aspitrigla cuculus)

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Common name - Gurnard, Red
Scientific name - Aspitrigla cuculus
Rating
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Caught at sea Demersal otter trawl
Capture Area North East Atlantic  FAO 27
Stock Area All Areas
Stock Detail I- IX
Summary
Taken as bycatch in trawl fisheries, red gurnard is a fast growing fish which matures early at a large size. Populations are currently stable. However, more research is needed to inform management, gain a true reflection of stock status and the impact of fishing, as there is currently no management for the species. Avoid eating immature fish (less than 25cm) and fresh (not previously frozen) fish caught during the spawning season (summer). Gurnards are non-quota species so they are often discarded due to low market demand.Increased consumption and demand for the species will alleviate the need to waste fish through the practice of discarding, but efforts must be made to understand the biology of the stocks and manage them appropriately if the species is to become commercially targeted.
Biology
Gurnards belong to a group of fish known as the Triglidae (sea robins) family. Classified as a generalist, they are characterised by fast growth and early sexual maturity at a relatively large size. Red gurnard is one of the smallest European gurnards. The red gurnard is a benthic species widely distributed in the northeast Atlantic from South Norway and north of the British Isles to Mauritania on grounds between 20 and 250 m. This benthic species is abundant in the Channel and on the shelf west of Brittany. It spawns in summer and can attain a length of 40cm and a weight of about 900g, with a maximum reported age of 21 years. 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
Of the six species known in northern European waters, red gurnard is most commonly exploited as a food fish. Although widely distributed throughout the Atlantic it is only locally abundant. Currently there is no TAC for this species in the ICES area and it is not clear whether there should be one or several management units. There is insufficient information to evaluate the status of the red gurnard. Therefore, based on precautionary considerations, ICES advises that catches should not be allowed to increase in 2012. There is no detailed stock assessment for the species as there is a lack of data and sampling. However, landings and available abundance indices have shown an indication of stability in recent years.
Capture Information
Red gurnards are mainly caught by demersal trawlers in mixed fisheries, mostly in Divisions VIIdk and VIIIa,b and also in Division IVc. There are no technical measures specifically dedicated to red gurnard or other gurnard species. There is a potential for damage to the seabed by trawling. Trawling is also associated with discarding of unwanted fish, i.e. undersized and/or non-quota and/or over-quota species. Red gurnard matures at 25cm and efforts should be made to select fish at, or above, that size.
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.
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.