American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Also known as American dab, Canadian plaice, Dab
Culinary Profile
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Lean and flaky.
American plaice is a good low-fat source of B vitamins and miacin.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
American plaice is a right-eyed species of flounder. Plaice have a large mouth, rounded tail, and nearly straight lateral line running lengthwise along their body. The upper side (eyed side) of adult plaice is typically reddish-brown in color, while the underside is white.
Biology
American plaice can live for more than 20 years. Plaice spawn and fertilize their eggs near the ocean bottom. Fertilized eggs float and ultimately hatch near the ocean’s surface. When plaice first hatch, their eyes are symmetrical, with an eye on each side of their head. As the fish grows, it flattens out and the left eye moves over to the right side of its head.
Where They Live
Range American plaice are distributed along the continental shelves from southern Labrador to Rhode Island in relatively deep water. In the Northwest Atlantic, plaice are found along the Atlantic Coast of North America throughout the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. Habitat American plaice are relatively sedentary.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
Wild-caught from Maine to Rhode Island.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial Fishery for American Plaice In 2022, commercial landings of American plaice totaled 1.5 million pounds, and were valued at $2.5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch American plaice are commonly harvested using trawl nets and, to a lesser extent, gillnets. Areas closures and gear restrictions reduce habitat impacts from trawl nets. Fishermen follow management measures designed to reduce interactions with marine mammals, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and use of marine mammal deterrents. Recreational Fishery for American Plaice American plaice are not commonly encountered by the recreational fishery. Regulations include a minimum fish size.
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as American Plaice.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Chaceon quinquedens
Sweet and clean.
Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Halibut has a very mild, sweet taste.
Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Slightly sweet.
Shortfin Squid
Illex illecebrosus
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of American Plaice, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much American Plaice is caught commercially?
Commercial Fishery for American Plaice In 2022, commercial landings of American plaice totaled 1.5 million pounds, and were valued at $2.5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch American plaice are commonly harvested using trawl nets and, to a lesser extent, gillnets.
What does American Plaice eat?
American plaice can live for more than 20 years. Plaice spawn and fertilize their eggs near the ocean bottom. Fertilized eggs float and ultimately hatch near the ocean’s surface. When plaice first hatch, their eyes are symmetrical, with an eye on each side of their head. As the fish grows, it flattens out and the left eye moves over to the right side of its head.
How does American Plaice reproduce?
American plaice can live for more than 20 years. Plaice spawn and fertilize their eggs near the ocean bottom. Fertilized eggs float and ultimately hatch near the ocean’s surface. When plaice first hatch, their eyes are symmetrical, with an eye on each side of their head. As the fish grows, it flattens out and the left eye moves over to the right side of its head.
Who manages the American Plaice fishery?
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the American plaice fishery. American plaice, along with other groundfish in New England waters, is managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan , which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels.
Sustainability Story
Stock Structure
American plaice is not overfished, not subject to overfishing, and has rebuilt to the target population level (2022 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Area closures and gear restrictions protect habitats that are affected by some kinds of trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the American plaice fishery. American plaice, along with other groundfish in New England waters, is managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan , which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Separate management measures for recreational vessels.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 7 values
Nutrient Facts (NOAA)
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.