Umber

Umber or Shi Drum -   Scientific name - Umbrina cirrose

Conservation status

The Shi Drum Umbrina cirrosa or Umber is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Assessed 2007). Population declines are estimated at 80% based on 7 countries (the majority being Italy and Turkey).  However this species is still thought to be common in some parts of the North African coast. Umber are the bycatch of other fish or recreational spear fishing. The degradation of estuary areas has also resulted in this decline.

Overview

The Umber fish has a moderately elongated, deep, and laterally compressed body. It has a greyish-silver to brownish colour with a metallic shine and dark longitudinal lines on its back. The gill cover edges are jet black, and the fins are dusky.

This species is found in the eastern Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to southern Morocco. It is widespread in the Mediterranean Sea but is not found around the main islands. It is also found throughout the Black Sea.

Umber live in inshore waters over both rock and sandy sea beds, with juveniles inhabiting estuaries. Males produce sound pulses to attract females, with spawning beginning in May and peaking in June.

They live to around 5 years in age.

They feed on Clupeids (sardines, anchovies), mackerels, cuttlefish, shellfishes and worms.

Their commercial use is in aquaculture.

Sources

IUCN - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/198709/21737222

Wikipaedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrina_cirrosa