Language
Country/Area
No result found
Giant of the Deep: How Big Is the Pacific Flounder?
Flounder is a flat fish that lives in flat bottom waters and has long been favored by fishermen and food lovers. They are huge in size, especially the Pacific and Atlantic flounder, which are known as the largest flat fish in the world. With the growth of fishing activities and concerns about their breeding status, many people are curious about these giant creatures living in the deep sea. How big are these giants of the deep sea?
Basic information about flounder
Flounder belongs to the family Right-eyed Flounder, which mainly includes three species, namely Atlantic flounder, Pacific flounder and Greenland flounder. The origin of the name is related to Christian culture, as they were welcomed on Catholic holy days, hence the combination of "haly" and "butte" to form what we know today as "halibut".
Body analysis
According to a 2018 genetic and morphological analysis, the Greenland flounder has a different origin than the other two types of flounder. Although it's unclear which flounder is the largest, it's undeniable that they are all huge marine creatures.
The IGFA record size for flounder is 234 kilograms (515 pounds) and 2.62 meters (8 feet, 7 inches), recorded in 2013 off Norway.
Food habits of flounder
Flounder have a fairly omnivorous diet and can eat almost any fish or creature of any size, giving them a niche in the marine ecosystem. They live primarily underwater and have the ability to swim upward to hunt for food. Due to their predatory abilities and ecological niche, flounder are often at the top of the marine food chain.
Gender determination gene
Flounder's sex query mechanism varies between species. Atlantic halibut adopts the XX/XY pattern, while Pacific halibut undergoes the ZZ/ZW mutation. Studying these sex-determining genes helps scientists understand the biology of flatfish.
Current status of fisheries
The commercial halibut fishery in the North Pacific began in the late 19th century and became one of the most profitable fisheries in the region. With the development of fisheries, harvesting regulations and sustainable management have gradually become important issues.
Since 1995, the U.S. halibut fishery has implemented individual fishing quotas (IFQs) to ensure sustainable fishing of this species.
The challenge of overfishing
Overfishing has been a threat to Atlantic halibut since the 1840s, with historical fishing practices causing dramatic declines in their numbers. Especially in the early 2000s, population observations of this species showed a clear downward trend. Subsequently, through reasonable management measures, the current population of flounder has shown signs of recovery, but its population is still far lower than it was in the 19th century.
Pacific and Greenland Flounder
In contrast, the populations of Pacific halibut and Greenland halibut have remained stable, with no obvious population splits. Research shows that their ecosystems remain intact and have not suffered from overfishing.
Value as food
Halibut meat is delicious and nutritious, containing a large amount of protein and trace elements, such as selenium, phosphorus and vitamin D. This makes halibut a delicious ingredient among local residents and seafood lovers.
The considerations behind delicious food
Due to overfishing concerns, consumers should be careful when choosing halibut for consumption. Fishery operations in many areas are still being monitored and their fishing policies may be adjusted at any time based on fishing conditions.
Conclusion
Whether it is a commercial fishery or a personal source of food, flounder holds an important place in the deep sea. Their population status and how to balance the relationship between fisheries and ecology remain challenges we need to face in the future. How should we rationally utilize this endless ocean resource while protecting these giants of the deep sea?
