Gilt-head sea bream

The Gilt-head sea bream is largely produced in aquacultures in Cyprus. Any caught locally probably escape from feeding stations or are part of small wild populations. These are caught using static nets, vertical lines, fishing rod and speargun. The length of the sea bream usually ranges from 25 to 35 centimeters, though it can exceed 50 centimeters and it spawns only during October to December. Its weight can exceed 6 kilograms. EU regulations have a fishing or selling length limit of 20cm.

The Gilt-head sea bream is a bottom-dwelling fish found primarily in areas with rocky and muddy substrates, but also in areas with dense vegetation. It is a species that lives solitary or forms schools of individuals of the same species. Young individuals of the species often find refuge in meadows of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. It is usually found at depths not exceeding 30 meters, although mainly adult individuals are found at depths of up to 150 meters. This is a hermaphrodite fish and sexually matures at the age of 1 to 2 years, initially as a male, producing sperm. Then, during the gender changing process it produces both eggs and sperm for a short time and, if it lives long enough, at the age of 2 to 3 years it changes completely to female. It is an omnivorous fish and feeds on worms, crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and occasionally algae and seaweed.

The aquacultures in Cyprus are considered some of the best in Europe, with high sustainability and technology standards, so the consumption of fish from them is recommended. Prefer locally produced products and make sure your fish adheres to EU minimum size regulations.