{
  "version": "1.0",
  "reviewedOn": "2026-09-10",
  "publisher": "Down The Cove editorial team",
  "evidenceType": "Desk-researched reference, not original field observations",
  "sources": {
    "cornwall": {
      "label": "Visit Cornwall: guide to crabbing",
      "url": "https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/insider-recommendations/kids-stuff-an-essential-guide-to-crabbing"
    },
    "devon": {
      "label": "Visit South Devon: crabbing hotspots",
      "url": "https://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/things-to-do/ideas-and-inspiration/crabbing-hotspots"
    },
    "dorset": {
      "label": "Visit Dorset: Mudeford Quay",
      "url": "https://www.visit-dorset.com/listing/mudeford-quay/115303301/"
    },
    "ceredigion": {
      "label": "Discover Ceredigion: crabbing code (PDF)",
      "url": "https://www.discoverceredigion.wales/media/2033/crabbingleafletplusmarinelitter.pdf"
    },
    "scotland": {
      "label": "VisitScotland: family holidays, Cullen",
      "url": "https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/family"
    },
    "rnli": {
      "label": "RNLI: angling safety",
      "url": "https://rnli.org/water-safety/choose-your-activity/angling"
    },
    "cooking": {
      "label": "Food Standards Agency: cooking your food",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cooking-your-food"
    },
    "fishRules": {
      "label": "MMO: fishing rules and guidance",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/marine-management-organisation"
    },
    "cornwallRules": {
      "label": "Cornwall IFCA: local fisheries rules",
      "url": "https://www.cornwall-ifca.gov.uk/"
    }
  },
  "coverage": "Nine selected coastal fish. Observation windows are not legal catch seasons, stock assessments or guaranteed sightings.",
  "records": [
    {
      "id": "mackerel",
      "name": "Atlantic mackerel",
      "scientificName": "Scomber scombrus",
      "group": "Open-water fish",
      "features": "Streamlined body; blue-green back with dark, wavy stripes.",
      "habitat": "UK coasts; shoaling in open water.",
      "months": [
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10,
        11,
        12
      ],
      "seasonNote": "Recorded year-round; moves nearer shore in summer and farther offshore in winter.",
      "caution": "Presence is not a forecast of a catch or a sustainability recommendation.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/mackerel",
      "guide": "/knowledge/mackerel-fishing"
    },
    {
      "id": "seabass",
      "name": "European seabass",
      "scientificName": "Dicentrarchus labrax",
      "group": "Open-water fish",
      "features": "Silvery body with two dorsal fins; the first has prominent spines. Young fish can be spotted.",
      "habitat": "Coastal waters and estuaries, especially southern and western coasts.",
      "months": [
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10,
        11,
        12
      ],
      "seasonNote": "Reported year-round; inshore summer movement and offshore winter movement.",
      "caution": "Nursery areas and retention rules require separate, current local checks.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/european-seabass",
      "guide": "/knowledge/bass-fishing"
    },
    {
      "id": "plaice",
      "name": "Plaice",
      "scientificName": "Pleuronectes platessa",
      "group": "Flatfish",
      "features": "Flattened, roughly diamond-shaped body with conspicuous orange spots on its upper side.",
      "habitat": "Sandy seabeds and estuaries around the UK.",
      "months": [
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10,
        11,
        12
      ],
      "seasonNote": "The source lists observations throughout the year.",
      "caution": "Do not identify a flatfish from colour alone; compare shape and other features.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/plaice",
      "guide": "/knowledge/plaice"
    },
    {
      "id": "flounder",
      "name": "European flounder",
      "scientificName": "Platichthys flesus",
      "group": "Flatfish",
      "features": "Oval flatfish; small mouth and squared-off tail. Upper colour is variable; usually, but not always, right-eyed.",
      "habitat": "Coasts and estuaries around Britain and Ireland.",
      "months": [
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10,
        11,
        12
      ],
      "seasonNote": "The source lists observations throughout the year.",
      "caution": "Variable colour and eye-side make quick identification uncertain; compare the full source guide.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/european-flounder",
      "guide": "/knowledge/flounder"
    },
    {
      "id": "black-bream",
      "name": "Black sea bream",
      "scientificName": "Spondyliosoma cantharus",
      "group": "Open-water fish",
      "features": "Oval silver fish with a small mouth and a long dorsal fin; breeding colour can differ substantially.",
      "habitat": "South-west Britain, English Channel and Irish Sea.",
      "months": [
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10,
        11,
        12
      ],
      "seasonNote": "Present year-round in the source; nesting is described in April and May.",
      "caution": "The source advises avoiding capture during the April–May breeding period. Check current local protections separately.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/black-sea-bream",
      "guide": "/knowledge/black-bream"
    },
    {
      "id": "catshark",
      "name": "Small-spotted catshark",
      "scientificName": "Scyliorhinus canicula",
      "group": "Sharks",
      "features": "Small shark with numerous dark spots, pale rough skin and cat-like eyes; also called lesser-spotted dogfish.",
      "habitat": "Close to the seabed around UK coasts.",
      "months": [
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10,
        11,
        12
      ],
      "seasonNote": "The source lists observations throughout the year.",
      "caution": "Compare with nursehound and other sharks; a common name alone is not a secure species identification.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/small-spotted-catshark",
      "guide": "/knowledge/dogfish"
    },
    {
      "id": "two-spotted-goby",
      "name": "Two-spotted goby",
      "scientificName": "Gobiusculus flavescens",
      "group": "Small shore fish",
      "features": "Tiny slender fish; males have dark spots behind the pectoral fin and near the tail. Females show the tail spot.",
      "habitat": "Among seaweed and seagrass around Britain and Ireland.",
      "months": [
        3,
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "seasonNote": "The source's observation window is March–October, not proof of absence outside those months.",
      "caution": "Observe in place and avoid disturbing shelter or habitat.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/two-spotted-goby"
    },
    {
      "id": "cornish-sucker",
      "name": "Shore clingfish / Cornish sucker",
      "scientificName": "Lepadogaster purpurea",
      "group": "Small shore fish",
      "features": "Small reddish-brown fish with a flattened head, broad snout and two turquoise marks behind the eyes.",
      "habitat": "Rocky shores, particularly south-west England, Wales and south-west Scotland.",
      "months": [
        4,
        5,
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "seasonNote": "The source's observation window is April–October.",
      "caution": "Fish may guard eggs beneath rocks; do not disturb a shelter for a photograph.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/shore-clingfish-cornish-sucker"
    },
    {
      "id": "lesser-weever",
      "name": "Lesser weever",
      "scientificName": "Echiichthys vipera",
      "group": "Small shore fish",
      "features": "Small sand-burying fish with upward-facing eyes and mouth and a dark first dorsal fin.",
      "habitat": "Sandy shallows, especially southern and south-western Britain.",
      "months": [
        6,
        7,
        8,
        9,
        10
      ],
      "seasonNote": "The source's observation window is June–October; this is not a statement that other months are risk-free.",
      "caution": "Venomous spines: do not handle it or use this reference as treatment advice.",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/lesser-weever-fish"
    }
  ]
}