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A SEASONAL GUIDE

Fresh fish & shellfish: when to buy

The chart below indicates the best time to buy fresh fish and shellfish, both wild and farmed, and its availability throughout the year. It is an approximate guide only, as factors such as the weather, tides, quotas and demand all affect the availability (and price) of wild fresh seafood. Availability of farmed fish can also vary as a result of exchange rate fluctuations and international regulations. It is always best to consult a member of our sales team before ordering.

Seasonal differences

Prime season (indicated by tick on the chart) means that the flesh yield and quality is at its best. It does not necessarily mean it will be plentiful or cheap. Fish bought outside this period is generally less plump, particularly during the months marked in mid. During the months marked cross it is either illegal to fish or the species is extremely scarce, so we would not stock the fish at this time.

Please note: Stocks of all wild fish species are under constant review. We regularly consult and act upon the sustainability ratings listed in the MCS (Marine Conservation Society) ‘Good Fish Guide’. This means that at certain times we may not stock certain fish that are listed.

Prime season and good availability
Usually available
Often available but not at its best
Not usually available
Currently not available (rated 5 on MCS 'Good Fish Guide')
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fishJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Black sea breamtickticktick
Brilltickticktickticktickticktick
Cod, Atlanticticktickticktickticktick
Cod, Skreitickticktick
Coleytickticktickticktickticktick
Cornish sole (Megrim)ticktickticktickticktickticktick
Dover soleticktickticktickticktickticktick
Gilthead bream (farmed)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Grey mullettickticktickticktick
Gurnardticktickticktickticktick
Haddocktickticktickticktickticktick
Haketicktickticktickticktickticktick
Hamachi (Yellowtail) (farmed)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Herringticktickticktickticktickticktick
John Doryticktickticktickticktick
Lemon Soleticktickticktickticktick
Lingcrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross
Mackerelticktickticktickticktick
Monkfishtickticktickticktick
Plaicetickticktickticktickticktick
Pollackcrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross
Ray ('Skate')ticktickticktickticktickticktick
Red mullettickticktickticktickticktick
Salmon (farmed)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Sardinestickticktickticktickticktick
Sea bass (farmed)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Sea bass (wild)ticktickticktickticktick
Sea troutticktickticktick
Stone bass (Meagre)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Swordfishticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Torbay sole (Witch)tickticktickticktickticktick
Trout, rainbow and brown (farmed)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Tuna, yellowfinticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Turbot (farmed)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Turbot (wild)tickticktickticktick
Whitingticktickticktickticktick
shellfishJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Brown shrimp (cooked, peeled)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Clams, Palourdeticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Clams, razortickticktickticktickticktick
Cocklesticktickticktickticktickticktick
Crab, brownticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Langoustinestickticktickticktickticktick
Lobster, Europeanticktickticktickticktick
Lobster, Americanticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Musselsticktickticktickticktickticktick
Oysters, Pacificticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Oysters, nativeticktickticktickticktickticktick
Scallops (roe-on, UK)ticktickticktickticktickticktick
Scallops (roeless, US)ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
Squidticktickticktickticktick
Whelkstickticktickticktickticktick

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