Editor

I, like many others I am sure, am becoming increasingly confused about the so-called angelshark in Cardigan Bay. There is no such fish as the angelshark. The term is used to describe various species of angler fish especially in North America and throughout the Pacific. It is also used as a local name in various countries but not allied to any particular species. The local so-called angelshark is actually the monk fish: Squatina Squatina.

In the earlier part of the 20th century, monk fish, together with several types of dogfish, were caught commercially mainly by beam trawlers, and sold as white fish, rock fish or rock salmon.

Adding to the confusion the so-called monkfish beloved of TV chefs is not a monkfish at all but the angler fish Lophius piscatorius. This fish has been described as the ugliest fish in the sea. Hence the possible reason for the name change. No doubt local scientists and academics had to devise a more suitable name for this endangered species. The monkfish, rather than one accepted as a popular restaurant fish.

Peter Jarrams Panteg, Aberaeron

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