Monkfish: Monkfish Facts

Taxonomy

Monkfish is the English name of a number of types of fish in the northwest Atlantic, most notably the species of the anglerfish genus Lophius and the angelshark genus Squatina. The accepted common name is goosefish, while monkfish is the name used in commerce. They are also called anglerfish, angler, allmouth, lotte (Europe), molligut, bellyfish, lawyerfish, and fishing frog. When used for sushi or sashimi, monkfish is commonly sold as ankoh and ankimo (monkfish liver).

Species of Commercial Interest

Two species, Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa, are found in north-western Europe and referred to as monkfish, with L. piscatorius by far the most common species around the British Isles and of major fishery interest. Under UK Labeling Regulations, the phrase "monkfish" is only permitted for Lophiodes caulinaris, Lophius americanus, Lophius budegassa and Lophius piscatorius. In North America, L. americanus is the most commonly fished species.
A second group of fish also known as monkfish are members of the genus Squatina, in the angel shark family Squatinidae. These are of somewhat similar shape to the anglerfish, but completely unrelated, as they are elasmobranchs (the group containing sharks, skates, and rays). These fish are only of minor significance for human consumption, though they are endangered because they are caught as bycatch by trawlers.

Distribution

The monkfish occurs at a very wide depth range, from shallow waters down to a depth of 1,800 m. It is usually associated with the bottom, but also occurs close to the surface where it has been seen eating seabirds. It spawns in deep waters south of Iceland. Formerly the monk could only be found in the warmer waters south of Iceland. Due to a recent warming trend in Icelandic waters, however, the distribution has expanded to the waters west of Iceland. It even occurs now off the north coast. It occurs all along the coast off Europe, from Murmansk down to the Mediterranean Sea, and can even be found down the coast of Africa to the Bay of Guinea. Several related species of the genus Lophius exist along the entire Atlantic Ocean.

Biology

Not much is known about this fish with respect to key biological information regarding age, growth, longevity, natural mortality, and stock structure.
Monkfish (goosefish) is a fast-growing, short-lived benthic fish that may be found on sand, mud and broken shell bottoms from shallow, coastal waters to over 800 meters (m) depth. These fish use an irregular growth of flesh on their heads (called an esca) as a lure to attract other fishes, which are then typically swallowed whole. The action of the jaws has been shown to be an automatic reflex triggered by contact with the esca.
Monkfish spawn in deep waters south of Iceland. The eggs and larvae then drift to shallower waters, settling on the bottom when 5 to 9 cm long. It grows to 15 to 20 cm in length the first year. The monk grows rapidly during its first years of life and reaches sexual maturity at the age of 4 to 6 and 40 to 80 cm in length, males younger and smaller. The largest recorded specimen weighed 115 kg (253 lb) and was caught on January 7, 2012, by Frank-Rune Kopperud of Norway. However, the average size of monkfish catches has been declining since records began.

Sustainability

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) – Critically Endangered (CE) depending on species.
MBA Seafood Watch:

Monkfish are usually caught using bottom trawls, a method that can damage seafloor habitat and often results in high bycatch. Monkfish are also caught using gillnets, and this can result in the accidental catch and death of sea turtles and marine mammals.

Potential Health Concerns

Monkfish