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French seafood in season in February:what arrives at auction, what becomes scarce

February at French fish auctions: sea bass closed in the north, Bay of Biscay fleet in port, whiting, black sea bream, king scallop. Lent, substitutes, prices.

Updated 5 min readLiveCriée editorial team

February: Whiting, Black sea bream (griset), King scallop, Whelk, Sea bass, Dover soleJFMAMJJASONDIN SEASONFebruaryWhitingBlack sea bream (griset)King scallopWhelkSea bassDover sole
Contents
  1. What arrives at auction in February?
  2. What becomes scarce?
  3. Which substitutes for the menu?
  4. Points to watch on prices
  5. Frequently asked questions

In February, two closures weigh on seafood supply: commercial sea bass fishing is closed in the English Channel, North Sea and Celtic Sea (2026 rule), and part of the Bay of Biscay fleet stays in port until 20 February (dates from 2024 to 2026). Whiting, black sea bream and king scallop are in peak season; sea bass and Dover sole remain available, but partly change origin and cost more; langoustine and gilthead sea bream become scarce. It is often also the start of Lent.

Status as of 13 October 2026, based on the monthly sales of all French fish auctions in 2023 and 2024 (FranceAgriMer). The full calendar covers 40 species over twelve months.

What arrives at auction in February?

SpeciesWhat auction sales showWhat to know when buying
WhitingPeak of the year: about 540 tonnes in February 2024Average auction price at its lowest, under €2/kg
Black sea bream (griset)Peak of the year: about 230 tonnes in February 2024Around €3/kg
King scallopAbout 3,500 tonnes in February 2024Steady average price, around €2.40/kg
WhelkVolumes rising towards the spring peak seasonLow price, around €2.50/kg
Sea bassAvailable: about 210 tonnes in February 2024, despite the closure in the northAround €13/kg; the origin changes, see below
Dover soleAvailable: about 250 tonnes in February 2024, a little more than in JanuaryPrice rising, around €19/kg; Bay of Biscay sole is missing during the closure
Common prawn (crevette bouquet)Still in season, volumes fallingThe price climbs back towards spring
HerringWinter fish, from November to March, with a clear peak in November; still about fifty tonnes in February 2024Inexpensive: €0.60 to €0.70/kg on average at Boulogne-sur-Mer in 2024 and 2025
Sea urchin (Mediterranean)End of the short winter season in the Bouches-du-Rhône and the Var: end of February from 2023 to 2026, by prefectoral orderCheck the closing date of the current season; in the Alpes-Maritimes, professionals fish later
Monkfish, brill, pollack, haddockAvailableMonkfish steady, around €5.50/kg

National rhythm of auction sales (FranceAgriMer, 2024); it varies from one port to another.

What becomes scarce?

  • Channel sea bass: in 2026, commercial sea bass fishing was closed in February and March in the English Channel, North Sea and Celtic Sea. National sales nevertheless remain steady: wild sea bass then comes from the areas that stayed open, including the Atlantic, where its main fish auctions are (Les Sables-d'Olonne, Oléron, Noirmoutier), and the rest of the supply comes from farming.
  • Dover sole and hake from the Bay of Biscay: part of the Biscay vessels stay in port until 20 February (2024 to 2026). Sole remains available nationally, but its average auction price rises, to around €19/kg in February 2024, above January and March. Hake also tightens: about €5/kg in February 2024, against €3 in March when the fleet is back.
  • Langoustine, European lobster and brown crab stay at their lowest; lobster still cost nearly €39/kg at auction in February 2024.
  • Wild gilthead sea bream is very scarce.
  • Bouchot mussels end their season, depending on the area.
  • European spiny lobster (langouste rouge), albacore, Atlantic bluefin tuna and meagre are absent.

Which substitutes for the menu?

A few ideas, to adapt to your menu and the day's catch.

  • If you had on the menuLine-caught Channel sea bassIn February, think ofAtlantic or farmed sea bass, line-caught pollackWhy : Sea bass fishing closed in the north in February and March (2026 rule)
  • If you had on the menuDover soleIn February, think ofBrill, megrimWhy : Biscay sole fleet in port during the closure, tight price
  • If you had on the menuLangoustineIn February, think ofKing scallopWhy : King scallop in peak season
  • If you had on the menuGilthead sea breamIn February, think ofBlack sea breamWhy : Black sea bream at its peak of the year
  • If you had on the menuEuropean lobsterIn February, think ofKing scallop, common prawnWhy : Lobster scarce and expensive

Points to watch on prices

  1. Do not fix the menu on February prices. Sole and hake are tight during the Bay of Biscay closure, then ease: hake went from about €5 to €3/kg between February and March 2024. For 2027, the closure lasts thirty consecutive days, chosen by each vessel owner between 15 January and 27 February 2027 and declared before 1 December 2026 (failing a declaration: from 22 January to 20 February 2027); French order of 9 September 2026: the end of the tight period could vary from one port to another.
  2. Lent. It starts on Ash Wednesday, 18 February in 2026 and 10 February in 2027, and lasts until Easter. Species in peak season and inexpensive (whiting, black sea bream, king scallop) make good dishes of the day.
  3. Sea bass changes origin, not necessarily price. In February 2024, its average auction price was around €13/kg, far from the €22 of summer. Check the origin and fishing method stated on the price list.
  4. Winter weather can deprive auctions of inshore catches for several days: keep a fallback species per dish.

The price list guide explains how to compare offers, and the traceability guide how to read the fishing area on the label.

Frequently asked questions

Which fish is in season in February?

Whiting, black sea bream, hake, monkfish, brill and pollack for fish; king scallop, warty venus clam (praire) and whelk for shellfish.

Can sea bass be bought in February?

Yes, but not Channel sea bass: in 2026, its commercial fishing was closed in February and March in the English Channel, North Sea and Celtic Sea. Wild sea bass then comes from the areas that stayed open, including the Atlantic, and farmed sea bass remains available all year round. In February 2024, French fish auctions still sold about 210 tonnes of it.

When does fishing resume in the Bay of Biscay?

From 2024 to 2026, on 21 February, after a closure from 22 January to 20 February. In 2027, each vessel owner places thirty consecutive days between 15 January and 27 February and declares them before 1 December 2026; without a declaration, the stop runs from 22 January to 20 February 2027 (French order of 9 September 2026).

Which fish to offer during Lent?

Those in peak season and at low prices: whiting, black sea bream, hake once the closure ends, and king scallop for more festive menus.

Sources

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