Monkfish has been chosen as Fish of the Year. The contest by VLAM, the Flemish centre for agricultural and fisheries marketing, and the fisheries sector aims to highlight a different fish each year.
Flemish Fisheries minister Hilde Crevits announced the monkfish as the winner of this year’s context. “This fish will never win a beauty contest, but it is a culinary delight,” she said.
Monkfish can grow up to 2m long. It lives on the seabed and feeds on small fish and invertebrates. Flemish fisheries do not target this species, but it is a by-catch for sole and plaice.
In 2024, 626 tonnes of monkfish were landed by Flemish fishers, representing 4.2 per cent of the total landing. It is fished all year round and stock is doing well in areas where Flemish fishers are active.
VLAM has compiled a recipe folder with dishes prepared with monkfish and posters are being distributed at fishmongers to promote it.
A competition for catering professionals will see the chef who creates the tastiest and most original recipe using the monkfish given the title Fish Chef of the Year.
