BIOLOGY
Witch is a right-eyed flat fish (both eyes on the right-hand side of the body) belonging to a group of fish known as the family Pleuronectidae.Witch spawn in summer, has a slow growth rate, and reaches sexual maturity in 3-4 years. Witch on average live for about 14 years, but the maximum reported age is 25 years.
ADVICE
Fisheries for witch in EU waters outside 6 miles are unregulated i.e. there is no Minimum Landing Size or other measures specified and are generally taken as by-catch in trawls targeting whitefish. In some coastal areas of England and Wales MLSs are enforced e.g. Cornwall Sea Fisheries District & North Western and North Wales SFC prohibits the landing of witch below 28 cms. Avoid eating immature fish (less than 28cm) and fresh fish caught during the breeding season (March -September). Choose fish from Cornwall or North West Wales where available.
