Megrim

Scientific: Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis. English: Megrim, whiff. Icelandic: Stórkjafta, öfugkjafta. For more languages see the Marine Animal Dictionary.

Biology and distribution

The megrim is a rather large, but thin flatfish. It can grow to 60 cm, but is usually between 40 and 50 cm. It probably spawns in spring in shallower waters, going to deeper waters in the winter. The age of 50% maturity is around 5 years old for males and 7 to 8 years old for females.

Its diet is primarily other fishes, such as Norway pout, blue whiting or capelin and this is reflected in its large mouth and sharp teeth. It is primarily benthic as are most flatfishes and is most common from 100 to 200 m depth on soft bottom. It is found in the northeast Atlantic from northern Norway to Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea. Iceland is at the northernmost part of its range where it is only found in the warmest waters along the south coast.

Stock status (from the Marine Research institute)

Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) is caught as bycatch in the Danish seine and Nephrops fisheries off South Iceland. In 2010, 252 t of megrim were landed. The MRI does not recommend a TAC for the quota year 2011/2012.

References and further information

References: (Jónsson & Pálsson, 2006).

For full citation and further information on the main species in general see this page

Hreiðar Þór Valtýsson, University of Akureyri