Black Bream, Sea Bream
Black Seabream are attractive, deep-bodied fish with a compressed oval shape and a small, pointed head. Their colour varies with age and season but typically features a silvery grey body with dark vertical stripes and a bluish or purplish sheen. During the spawning season, males develop a darker, almost black colouration, giving the species its name.
Black Seabream inhabit the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the British Isles down to West Africa, and throughout the Mediterranean. In the UK, they are most commonly found off the south and southwest coasts, particularly around rocky seabeds, reefs, and sandy areas. They often gather in large shoals during the breeding season in shallow, inshore waters.
Sustainability Rating
Status: Considered a moderately sustainable choice when caught using low-impact methods. Stocks are generally healthy, though localised pressure can occur.
Best Choice: Black Seabream caught using hook and line, gill nets, or traps by small-scale fisheries.
Avoid: Fish caught using demersal trawls, which can cause significant seabed damage and increase bycatch.
Culinary Uses
Black Seabream offers firm, white flesh with a delicate, sweet flavour.
Well suited to grilling, baking whole, or pan-frying fillets.
Complements Mediterranean flavours — try it with herbs like oregano and thyme, lemon, olives, or roasted vegetables.
Popular in dishes such as whole baked seabream with herbs and lemon or fillet served with salsa verde.
Best Fishing Practices
Hook and line fishing is the most sustainable method, offering selective harvesting with minimal seabed impact.
Static gill nets and traps can also be effective and relatively low impact when used responsibly.
Ensuring fishing during non-breeding periods helps protect spawning aggregations and maintain healthy populations.
Seasonality
Best enjoyed from April to September, when Black Seabream move closer to shore for spawning and are more plentiful.
Supporting Healthy Seabream Stocks
Black Seabream are an important part of coastal ecosystems, helping to maintain balance by feeding on invertebrates and algae.
By choosing line-caught or responsibly netted seabream, diners can help support sustainable coastal fisheries and protect this versatile and delicious fish for the future.
On our menu: Yes ✓
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