Blotched picarel

The blotched picarel is native to Cypriot waters and is regularly caught in large quantities. Its spawning period spans from April to June and its length ranges from 12 to 20 cm. It is caught using static nets and sometimes bottom trawling.

It is a semi-pelagic species found in areas with abundant vegetation, primarily above seagrass beds of Posidonia oceanica or sandy-muddy substrates. Males are slightly larger than females and have more vivid coloring. The blotched picarel feeds on planktonic organisms and small invertebrates. It is a hermaphroditic fish and exhibits protogynous behavior, as it initially matures as a female and usually at the age of 2 years, changes to a male.

Bottom trawling is one of the most harmful ways to fish in our seas, as it drags heavy gear across the seabed, damaging all kinds of habitats, killing benthic life and leading to high catches of non-targeted species. In the southern part of Cyprus there is a restriction for trawling during the 16th of February and the 31st of May, and in the northern part bottom trawling is altogether banned. Gillnets, used to target picarels in Cyprus, are usually small mesh size and with low soak duration, resulting in very low catches of non-target species and thus have a low ecological impact. Picarels are relatively cheap yet delicious and very healthy. By valorising them you can contribute to sustainable fishing. 

It is recommended to ask your fisher or fishmonger where the fish was caught and with which fishing method, as well as buying this species outside of its spawning period. Prefer locally harvested seafood products by coastal small-scale fisheries. They are seasonal so ask for them during the spring season between March and May.