Mike Fox Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 (edited) DEFRA has announced that the Angel Shark is now a protected species (sneaked in in the middle of other protections including sea horses and water voles). http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080226a.htm http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/39332/all This is the fish we anglers call monkfish (Squatina squatina). I'm not aware of any being caught in club waters, but was on a boat in the Bristol Channel when 7 were boated in 1981, all around 40lb in weight. If you catch any, these should all be returned. Mike Edited March 13, 2008 by Mike Fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 I would hazard a guess that whilst back in 1981 a fish like this may have been kept as a trophy, in 2008 it would not even be considered. I trust it is still OK to keep an anglerfish (Restaurants Monkfish)? Would anyone dream of keeping the one you refer to anyway???? Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted March 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Probably not Tom. They look like a cross between a skate and a shark, and have all of the fighting characteristics of a sack of potatoes. All the ones I saw were returned! The angler fish (Lophius piscatorius) with the huge mouth and dangly "lure" on the first dorsal spine is not protected. They are found in club waters, and are most likely to be caught on a live-bait in deep water over rough ground. I remember helping to fillet one, and there was 7lb of useable tail on a 35lb fish. The fish is good to eat though, hence the high price of "monkfish" for kebabs etc. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Yes I know Very tasty, but a waste of a big fish. As for Angel Sharks, you'd be nuts to kill one of them anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 I had shop bought Monkfish last weekend. imho it's over-rated PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 Monk sells for its texture, not the flavour. Very meaty and firm, plus takes flavours well. Agree with above, taste isnt the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shytalk Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 i think you will find that monk in a fishmongers is angler fish sometimes passed off as scampi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 I had shop bought Monkfish last weekend. imho it's over-rated PJ I presume you shan't be choosing Monkfish for your main course at the Dinner Dance then Paul ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 It's fine with a sauce, just a bit bland without PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 i think you will find that monk in a fishmongers is angler fish sometimes passed off as scampi 'what I said in a round about sort of way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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