Flatfish often lie partly hidden in the sand. The upper side has good camouflage colouring, while the underside is white. They have a flattened body and eyes on the upper side. A flatfish larva does not have a flattened shape, but the “normal” shape of a fish. After about six weeks, one eye moves to the other side, close to the other eye. From then on, the flatfish swims with its blind side underneath and both eyes on top. The best-known flatfish species in the Netherlands are plaice and sole. Dab, turbot, brill, flounder and megrim are also common in the North Sea.
European flounder is a flatfish species that can be found in European coastal waters , mainly in the south-eastern part of the North Sea, the Black Sea and Kattegat. This species can also survive in brackish and freshwaters, like rivers and large inland lakes. The European flounder is dull brown, green or grey in colour with sometimes orange spots. Although this species looks a lot like plaice, the orange spots are often less vibrant. The European flounder can reach lengths of up to 50 cm long.
Skagerrak, Kattegat, Sound, Belt, Baltic Sea (FAO 27)
Bottom otter trawl, Beam trawl, Electric pulse fishing, Anchored/demersal gillnets
Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.
Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.
This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.
This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.
Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.
There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.
GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.
Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.