Seasonal Guide

FRESH FISH & SHELLFISH: WHEN TO BUY​

The chart below indicates the best time to buy fresh fish and shellfish, both wild and farmed, and its availability throughout the year. It is an approximate guide only, as factors such as the weather, tides, quotas and demand all affect the availability (and price) of wild fresh seafood. Availability of farmed fish can also vary as a result of exchange rate fluctuations and international regulations.

Seasonal differences

Prime season (indicated by tick on the chart) means that the flesh yield and quality is at its best. It does not necessarily mean it will be plentiful or cheap. Fish bought outside this period is generally less plump, particularly during the months marked in mid. During the months marked cross it is either illegal to fish or the species is extremely scarce, so we would not stock the fish at this time.

Please note: Stocks of all wild fish species are under constant review. We regularly consult and act upon the sustainability ratings listed in the MCS (Marine Conservation Society) ‘Good Fish Guide’. This means that at certain times we may not stock certain fish that are listed.

Prime season and good availability

Usually available

Often available but not at its best

Not usually available

Currently not available (rated 5 on MCS ‘Good Fish Guide’)

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fish Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Black sea bream tick tick tick
Brill tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Cod, Atlantic tick tick tick tick tick tick
Cod, Skrei tick tick tick
Coley tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Cornish sole (Megrim) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Dover sole tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Gilthead bream (farmed) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Grey mullet tick tick tick tick tick
Gurnard tick tick tick tick tick tick
Haddock tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Hake tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Hamachi (Yellowtail) (farmed) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Herring tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
John Dory tick tick tick tick tick tick
Lemon Sole tick tick tick tick tick tick
Ling cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross
Mackerel tick tick tick tick tick tick
Monkfish tick tick tick tick tick
Plaice tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Pollack cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross cross
Ray (‘Skate’) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Red mullet tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Salmon (farmed) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Sardines tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Sea bass (farmed) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Sea bass (wild) tick tick tick tick tick tick
Sea trout tick tick tick tick
Stone bass (Meagre) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Swordfish tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Torbay sole (Witch) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Trout, rainbow and brown (farmed) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Tuna, yellowfin tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Turbot (farmed) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Turbot (wild) tick tick tick tick tick
Whiting tick tick tick tick tick tick
shellfish Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Brown shrimp (cooked, peeled) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Clams, Palourde tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Clams, razor tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Cockles tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Crab, brown tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Langoustines tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Lobster, European tick tick tick tick tick tick
Lobster, American tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Mussels tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Oysters, Pacific tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Oysters, native tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Scallops (roe-on, UK) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Scallops (roeless, US) tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Squid tick tick tick tick tick tick
Whelks tick tick tick tick tick tick tick