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Common name - Red mullet, Striped red mullet
Scientific name - Mullus surmuletus
Rating
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Caught at sea Demersal otter trawl
Capture Area North East Atlantic  FAO 27
Stock Area Bay of Biscay, Celtic sea, Western Channel, Eastern Channel, North Sea
Stock Detail VIII, IV, VII
Summary
Red mullet stocks are not formally assessed but abundance indices have increased in all areas in recent years suggesting that the stock is stable or increasing. ICES advice for this species is that catches should not be allowed to increase. There is no EU management for the species. A minimum landing size of 15 cm is enforced in the Cornish Sea fisheries jurisdiction. Although this is below 16 cm, the size at which they mature, this is the only management measure for this species, so fish from this area is the best choice currently available. Avoid eating immature fish (less than 16 cm) and fresh (not previously frozen) fish caught during the summer spawning season (May-July). Choose gill or seine netted fish where available as these methods have a lower environmental impact.
Biology
Red mullet is a member of the Mullidae family. Distributed throughout the world in tropical and warm temperate seas, it is one of two species found in the Mediterranean (the other being Mullus barbatus). It is also found as far north as Britain and Ireland in summer. They prefer deep water and warm temperatures. Young fish are distributed in coastal areas, in waters of low salinity, while adults have a more offshore distribution and are found at high salinity. It can attain a length of 45 cm and is reported to live up to 10 years. It has distinctive barbels - sensory organs - with which it detects food in the sea bed. This is the reason for its alternative name - goat fish. Spawns in May-July in the Channel area. Becomes sexually mature at 2 years at about 22 cm length. In the English Channel, the species matures at approximately 16 cm.
Stock Information
There is no stock assessment for red mullet in the North East Atlantic and no reference points have been defined due to insufficient information to evaluate stock status. The available information on stock identity suggests there is more than one stock in the ICES area. However abundance indices in 2010 have shown increases in the Bay of Biscay, Southern North sea, Celtic sea and Eastern English channel and the fish are now being caught as far North as the West of Scotland, suggesting that the stocks are stable/increasing. Studies show that red mullet stocks can be divided into three distinct geographical areas: The Bay of Biscay, Celtic Sea & Western Channel, Eastern Angling channel & North sea. Vessel movements suggest a migration to and from the southern north sea to the eastern point of the western channel and landing analysis have identified a strong aggregation of the species in the Western channel during winter. For the first time in September 2011 ICES has provided advice for this species and based on precautionary considerations it is that catches should not be allowed to increase in 2012.
Capture Information
Taken as bycatch in trawlers and gillnets. Trawling is associated with discarding of unwanted fish i.e. undersized and/or non-quota and/or over-quota species. Gillnet or seine net is a better choice in terms of environmental impact. No species specific management, however landing of red mullet below 15 cm is prohibited in the Cornwall Sea Fisheries District. Studies in the English Channel suggest all fish are mature at 16 cm.
References
ICES Advice 2011, Book 9. ICES 2010 Report of the Working Group on Assessment of New MoU Species (WGNEW), 11-15 October 2010, ICES HQ, Denmark. ICES CM 2010/ACOM:21. 185 pp. Red Mullet Seafish Research and Development Species Guide May 2011
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.