🎯 Why Spearfishing for Wrasse Should Be Avoided: Protecting Coastal Ecosystems

Spearfishing is one of the most selective and sustainable forms of fishing when done responsibly. But not all fish are fair game — and the wrasse is one species that should be left alone. Often brightly colored and slow-moving, wrasse might seem like easy targets, but targeting them can have serious ecological consequences.

In this blog, we’ll explore why spearfishing wrasse, particularly in the UK and Europe, is considered harmful and why these reef guardians should be protected rather than pursued.

🐟 What Is a Wrasse?

Wrasse are a family of reef-dwelling fish known for their vivid colors and quirky behavior. In the UK, species like the ballan wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, and goldsinny wrasse are commonly seen around rocky shores and kelp forests.

They’re often approachable, curious, and abundant — which unfortunately makes them tempting for inexperienced spearos.

⚠️ 5 Key Reasons to Avoid Spearfishing Wrasse

1. Ecological Role: Nature’s Reef Cleaners

Wrasse feed on parasites, sea lice, and small invertebrates that would otherwise damage or overpopulate the reef. They play a critical role in keeping marine ecosystems balanced and healthy — like underwater janitors.

Without them, reefs can become overrun with pests, leading to long-term degradation of habitat quality.

Think of wrasse as the cleaners of the reef. Take them away, and the whole system suffers.

2. Low Reproductive Rate

Many wrasse species are slow-growing and late to mature, especially larger individuals like the ballan wrasse. Some are also protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and become males later.

When big males are removed, social structures collapse, reducing breeding success and disrupting population stability.

3. High Value to Conservation and Science

In several areas, including parts of Scandinavia and the UK, wrasse have been studied for their role in cleaner fish programs in aquaculture (such as salmon farms), where they help control parasites naturally.

Even though this use is controversial, it highlights their functional importance beyond sport fishing.

4. Unpalatable and Poor Table Fish

Let’s be honest — wrasse are not great eating. Their flesh is often mushy and bland, with little culinary value compared to species like bass, pollock, or mullet.

Spearfishing should ideally target sustainable, delicious species. Shooting a wrasse just to "catch something" is a waste.

But some people really do like them to eat, especially in a really good cerviche, but may limit that the amount of times that is taken.

5. Reef Familiarity Makes Them Easy (and Unfair) Targets

Wrasse tend to stay in small home ranges and are notoriously curious, often swimming right up to divers. This behavior makes them extremely vulnerable to overfishing by spearos.

Taking advantage of their trust isn’t just unsporting — it’s ethically questionable.

🌊 What Should You Hunt Instead?

If you’re out for a sustainable catch, consider targeting:

• Pollock (fast-growing, abundant, great eating)

• Mullet (challenging and underrated)

• Sea bass (in-season and size-legal only)

• Flounder/plaice (if diving in shallow estuaries)

Always follow local regulations, observe closed seasons, and stick to size limits.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Spearfishing is about more than filling your stringer — it’s about respecting the ocean. Avoiding wrasse isn’t just a rule made by conservationists; it’s a smart, responsible decision every ethical spearo should make.

By letting wrasse thrive, we help preserve the health of the reef, the balance of marine life, and the future of spearfishing itself.

Be a skilled hunter — not just a shooter.

Why not book in on a course?

Give us a message at www.underwaterforaging.co.uk