BIOLOGY
Plaice is a bottom-dwelling flatfish. It spawns in the early months of the year (January to March) and sometimes makes long spawning migrations. North Sea plaice reach between 35 and 45 cm in their 6th year. It is a long-lived species, becoming sexually mature at 3-7 years (females) 2-6 (males) and living 30 years or more. Maximum reported age 50 years.
ADVICE
Plaice is a long-lived species and subject to high fishing pressure. The Irish and North Sea stocks are currently classified as healthy and harvested sustainably. Stocks in the Celtic Sea and Western Channel are overfished whilst stocks in SW Ireland and W of Ireland are in decline and substantial reductions in fishing effort are required to achieve sustainable stock levels. Large numbers of undersized plaice are discarded in particular in beam trawl fisheries for flatfish (sole and plaice) in the southern North Sea. Avoid eating immature plaice below 30 cm and during their breeding season January to March.
