Plaice

What it is

Plaice describes a collection of flatfish belonging to the Pleuronectidae family. The most prominent member is the European plaice, which possesses smooth brown skin marked by red spots and a bony ridge behind its eyes. These right-eyed flounders typically reach lengths of one metre and can live for five decades. Other members include the American, Alaskan, and scale-eye varieties, which vary in size and skin texture. They share a flattened body shape adapted for life on the sea floor.

Where it lives

These fish inhabit cold waters across the Northern Hemisphere. The European variety ranges from the Barents Sea down to the Mediterranean, often burying itself in sand during daylight hours. American plaice dwell along the Atlantic coast from Labrador to Rhode Island, preferring deeper, colder waters between ninety and two hundred fifty metres. Alaskan plaice occupy the Bering Sea, while the scale-eye species lives in the northern Pacific near Japan and Korea, sometimes descending to nearly one kilometre deep.

How it lives

Adults feed primarily on invertebrates such as crustaceans, bivalves, and worms. European plaice hunt polychaetes and move into shallower waters at night before hiding in sediment. American plaice consume small fishes and invertebrates in chilly temperatures near freezing. Predators include seals, which may contract lungworm parasites from eating infected American plaice. Many species form schools or groups, though they spend much time resting on the seabed.

Breeding and life cycle

Spawning habits differ among species but generally occur in spring months. American plaice release eggs in the Gulf of Maine, with peak activity recorded in April and May. European plaice have shown declining fecundity in recent decades. Young fish grow rapidly initially but slow down as they age. Overfishing has reduced average lifespans significantly, with many North Sea individuals now rarely surviving past six years compared to historical records of forty.

Fish and people

Plaice holds major economic value, particularly the European species in Europe. It is caught using beam trawlers, otter trawlers, and seiners. In Danish and North German cuisine, it is frequently filleted, battered, and fried, often served with remoulade sauce or as part of fish and chips. Smoked plaice remains a traditional delicacy in Estonia. The fish also appears in aquariums and recreational fishing, though sustainable harvesting remains a concern due to depleted stocks.

Status and threats

Conservation status varies by region but is generally concerning. ICES lists North Sea plaice outside safe biological limits, noting that landings are at historical lows. Only one of eight recognized stocks is harvested sustainably according to WWF data. American plaice in Canada are considered endangered due to overfishing, although local authorities dispute this assessment. The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization classifies the American stock as overfished with no recovery signs.

Relatives and look-alikes

Plaice shares its family with other flatfish like sole and turbot. The European plaice is closely related to the American plaice, both being right-eyed flounders. They are often confused with dab or lemon sole in markets. The term originates from Latin words meaning broad or flat, distinguishing them from round fish. Genetic studies help distinguish between the four main species, which look similar but occupy different oceanic regions.

Questions people ask about Plaice

Good reading and sources

• Plaice on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data