Brill

Brill -   Scientific name - Scophthalmus rhombus

Conservation status

The IUCN list Brill as Least Concern on their Red List. The population has increased  in the North Sea and English Channel since a low in 1997. There are concerns about decline in the Baltic Sea.

The MCS note that some fishing areas are more sustainable than others.  Brill caught by otter trawl or gill net is the Best Choice. Brill caught by beam trawl is OK – but Needs Improvement.

The Cornwall Good Seafood Guide comments  that the latest ICES stock assessment shows that Brill stocks continue to do well in Cornish waters: ‘They have a relatively low vulnerability to over fishing being faster growing than many other flatfish species. In Cornwall there is a minimum landing size of 30cm for Brill’. 

Overview

Brill is a large and meaty flat fish very similar to a turbot. It has a dark mottled appearance although the colour is variable, with small, smooth scales. Like other flatfish Brill has the ability to match its colour to its surroundings.

Brill can be found in the northeast Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean. They thrive in sandy or muddy sea beds and can by typically found in coastal waters to depths of around 70 metres.

Brill live for around 6 years or older and are typically around 40cms average in length.

Brill are carnivorous and eat other fish and crustaceans. They are prey to larger fish such as Halibut, Dover sole , Whales and Porpoises.

Sources

IUCN - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/198732/144938884

Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_(fish)

Marine Conservation Society - https://www.mcsuk.org/goodfishguide/species/brill/?search=brill

Cornwall Good Seafood Guide - https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/brill.php