Red mullet

Red mullet is native to Cypriot waters and in recent years its population has severely depleted due to various factors including overfishing, climate change and invasive species. Its spawning period spans from April to August. Nowadays, it is mostly imported from other countries, but can still be found locally where it is caught using bottom trawling and static nets, usually trammel nets with short soak durations.  EU Mediterranean regulations set a minimum landing size of 11 cm (total length) for Red Mullet. 

Locally, it is found primarily on muddy or sandy bottoms at depths of up to 350 meters. Many people confuse it with the striped red mullet because of their striking resemblance. The main morphological feature that distinguishes the two species is the much more curved snout of the red mullet, compared to that of the striped red mullet. It is usually about 15 centimeters long, though it can reach up to 30 centimeters. It feeds on small benthic invertebrates, such as crustaceans, worms, and mollusks, which, like the striped red mullet, it locates using its barbels on the seabed.

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. Trammel nets can have high non-target catch rates resulting in bycatch of vulnerable species such as sea turtles. However, soak times for red mullet are usually low resulting in high survival.

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 and make sure your fish adheres to EU minimum size regulations.