The European Seabass is also known as the Sea Dace and can be found in our deeper coastal waters off the south and south-west of England. In the summer months small groups of juvenile European Seabass can be seen in estuaries, harbours, lagoons and rivers looking for food.

The European Seabass has silver sides and a white belly. It is just over a metre in length and weighs around fifteen kilogrammes. It has two fins on its back which are called ‘dorsal’ fins. One fin is quite large and spiky-looking while the other fin is smaller and quite smooth. The European Seabass uses these fins to maintain stability and balance. This fish can be a very fast swimmer and can easily be recognised because of its style of swimming. It tilts its head at an angle when it bursts forward and at the same time moves the back part of its body in a wavy fashion before moving its tail fin. It then flicks the tail fin two or three times to help it to quickly propel forward.

Even though European Seabass have come under increasing pressure from commercial fishing, recreational anglers have banned bass fishing in thirty-four areas in England to help save this fish.

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