Species profile
Monkfish
Squatina squatina
At a glance
Monkfish (Squatina squatina) is an IUCN Critically Endangered invertebrate regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 15.0 in (≈ 1 ft 3 in).
Notable details
- Flat-bodied like a ray, the angelshark lies buried in sand to ambush passing prey.
- Can grow up to 2.4 meters long and weigh as much as 80 kg.
- Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to bycatch and overfishing.
- Once abundant from Norway to the Canary Islands, it has vanished from most of its former range.
- Its firm, mild flesh was once a prized delicacy in Spanish and French coastal cuisine.
Jurisdictions with rules for Monkfish
Background
Squatina squatina, the angelshark or monkfish, is a species of shark in the family Squatinidae (known generally also as angel sharks), that were once widespread in the coastal waters of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Well-adapted for camouflaging itself on the sea floor, the angelshark has a flattened form with enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins, giving it a superficial resemblance to a ray.…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Monkfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.