Lepidopsetta billineta, Lepidopsetta polyxystra, Glyptocephalus zachirus, Eopsetta jordani, Microstomus pacificus, Parophrys vetulus
Illustration of Petrale sole by Tom Crestodina
Wild-Caught
Gear
Gillnet
Longline
Trawl
Location(s)
CA
OR
WA

Twelve species of flatfish are fished commercially on the West Coast, including Pacific sanddab, starry flounder, arrowtooth flounder, and rock, rex, petrale, Dover and English sole. They are found coastwide from the Gulf of Alaska to Baja, California, Mexico at a wide range of depths. Flatfish begin life with eyes on each side of their head, but as they age one eye migrates so that both eyes are on one side. They spend their adult lives flat on their sides on the seafloor, looking up for prey. Flatfish eat opportunistically on a variety of prey including small fish, crab, shrimp, and more. They are eaten by large predators such as sharks, rays, other species of fish and marine mammals.

 

Overall availability

Flatfish are fished in all three West Coast states, California, Oregon and Washington. They are available year-round, fresh and frozen, as whole fish and fillets. While flatfish vary in size and shape, most have flaky white meat that is generally interchangeable in recipes.

activity wheel for soles that depicts monthly activity levels (peak, low, closed)

 

Management

Sole and flounder (flatfish) are fished primarily using groundfish trawl gear, as well as longline and gillnet gear. They are managed as part of the West Coast Groundfish complex, a grouping of 90+ species that all live near the ocean floor. The fishery is managed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, which covers 90+ species that live near the seafloor. State fishery management agencies and commissions in CA, OR and WA, along with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission also have some management authority.