Flétan de l'Atlantique

Q: Can you eat Flétan de l'Atlantique?

Firm, meaty white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and very low fat. Endangered status — sustainable sourcing essential; superb pan-seared, poached in butter, or roasted with aromatics.

Q: How big does Flétan de l'Atlantique get?

Flétan de l'Atlantique can grow up to 470.0 cm long and weigh 320.0 kg.

Q: Where is Flétan de l'Atlantique found?

North Atlantic from Labrador and Greenland east to Iceland, Norway, the Barents Sea, and the British Isles. Found on sandy and gravel bottoms at depths of 50–2,000 m; severely depleted by commercial overfishing. Neritic

Q: Is Flétan de l'Atlantique endangered?

The conservation status of Flétan de l'Atlantique is Endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

Q: What family does Flétan de l'Atlantique belong to?

Flétan de l'Atlantique (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) belongs to the family Pleuronectidae (Righteye flounders) in the order Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes).

Abstract

The largest flatfish in the world, the Atlantic halibut can exceed three metres and 320 kilograms on the sandy and gravel bottoms of the North Atlantic. Like other right-eyed flounders, it begins life symmetrical before one eye migrates so that both sit on the olive-brown, camouflaged upper side, while the blind underside is pure white. Slow-growing and long-lived, it ranges from Labrador and Greenland to Iceland, Norway, and the British Isles at depths between 50 and 2,000 metres. Its firm, sweet, very lean flesh is highly valued, yet decades of commercial overfishing have left the species Endangered, making sustainable sourcing essential. Recovery is slow because individuals mature late and reproduce over many years.