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Red/striped mullet

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General

Mullets

Mullets are shy fish that prefer to live in schools. Their menus contain weeds and small, soil organisms. Mullets are included in a distinctive group, although they seem to have similarities to haring- and cod-like fish.  Mullets live in either tropical or temperate climate zones. Mullets have a preference for coastal waters and also occur in brackish waters. Mullets also live in rivers and lakes.

The maximum size of mullets can be 90cm although the average is between 40 and 55cm. Mullets have two dorsal fins, one is composed of four spines the second with shafts. The pelvic fin is composed of five shafts.

Red/striped mullet

Red and striped red mullet are found in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the British Isles in the north, to Dakar in the South. They are also found in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Due to rising sea water temperatures this species is found more and more commonly in the North Sea. In the southern North Sea and the English channel both mullets are found, but the striped red mullet is more abundant. Red mullet lives on the sea floor. Striped red mullet on sandy, muddy and rocky sea floors and can reach up to 40 cm. 

Red/striped mullet

Mullus barbatus, Mullus surmuletus
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Scottish seining/flyshoot

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Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Although the red mullet stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
in this area appears to be increasing, fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing.
remains too high. There are still too few data available for this species. As a result, it is also not possible to say anything with certainty about the size of the stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
.

ScottishScottish seines:
A fishing technique whereby a net with a long line (the seagulls) is pulled through the water on both sides. The ship is slowly steaming forward when getting in. Also called flyshooting
seines, or flyshoot, are likely to impact other species, including endangered and protectedProtected species:
Many marine species are protected from deliberate or intentional disturbance, capture, injury and killing, and in some cases possession or sale. Species are often protected if they play an important role in the ecosystem or are sensitive to fishing. These marine species are protected regardless of whether they are inside or outside marine protected areas.
species. However, research shows that the bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of sharks and rays is less frequent than previously thought. Because this fishery largely targets data-poorData-poor:
Fish species for which no scientific information is yet available. Due to lack of information, these species are often not managed by EU catch advice.
species, the impact of this fishery on other fish species in the ecosystem is still relatively unknown.

There are currently no management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed.
for mullet. The managementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
of this species is not effective.

Red/striped mullet

Mullus barbatus, Mullus surmuletus
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Bottom trawls, Anchored gillnets

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Although mullet stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
in this area appears to be increasing, fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing.
remains too high. There are still too few data available for this species. As a result, it is also not possible to say anything with certainty about the size of the stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
.

Demersal fisheries using anchoredanchored gillnets:
A fishing technique whereby passing fish become tangled up in a net with their gills (also known as a gillnet), which is vertically standing on the bottom.
gillnets and bottomBottom trawls:
A fishing technique in which cone-shaped nets terminating in a codend are dragged through the water column or along the bottom.
trawls most likely have a significant impact on the ecosystem. Both fishing methods come in contact with the seafloor and may disturb sensitive benthic habitats. BycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of other species, including endangered and protectedProtected species:
Many marine species are protected from deliberate or intentional disturbance, capture, injury and killing, and in some cases possession or sale. Species are often protected if they play an important role in the ecosystem or are sensitive to fishing. These marine species are protected regardless of whether they are inside or outside marine protected areas.
species, is likely and often documented.

There are currently no management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed.
for mullet. The managementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
of this species is not effective.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

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

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.