Where is European anchovy caught?

European anchovy

Engraulis encrasicolus

Hamsi

Peak this month Minimum size 9 cm

Family

Engraulidae

Order

Clupeiformes

Habitat

schooling open/coastal water

Seas

Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Mediterranean

Bait

thin fish strips, shrimp · micro sabiki

Technique

light sabiki

Legal status

Greece

Minimum size: 9 cm
Maximum quantity: 5 kg
Closed season: Tür/alan/dönem için daha sıkı kural olabilir

Legal basis: EU 2019/1241 Ek IX + Yunan ulusal mevzuatı communiqué text

Where is European anchovy caught?

Peak months by sea.

Black Sea

peak this month

Natural bait: thin fish flesh, shrimp; regional support: European anchovy / European sprat
Lure: micro sabiki
Technique: Sabiki Rig

Peak condition range

Wind: 0–14 km/h
Wind direction: offshore or calm
Water temperature: 8–16 °C
Pressure: 1010–1025 hPa
Wave: 0–0,5 m

This is a general tendency; it guarantees no catch.

Sea of Marmara

peak this month

Natural bait: thin fish flesh, shrimp; regional support: European anchovy / Atlantic horse mackerel / shrimp
Lure: micro sabiki
Technique: Sabiki Rig

Aegean Sea

peak this month

Natural bait: thin fish flesh, shrimp; regional support: European sardine / mamun / sülünez
Lure: micro sabiki
Technique: fine sabiki

Mediterranean

peak this month

Natural bait: thin fish flesh, shrimp; regional support: European sardine / European squid / shrimp
Lure: micro sabiki
Technique: Sabiki Rig

Bait and technique

Habitat

schooling open/coastal water

Fishing technique

light sabiki

Natural baits

thin fish strips, shrimp

Lures

micro sabiki

Tackle recipe

A setup to start from. Rod length, line diameter and drag are changed to suit the size of fish you are after and the current and bottom structure of the ground.

Sabiki Rig

Sabiki / multi-hook rig

A multi-hook feathered rig for shoaling fish

Level: Beginner
Effort: Low–Moderate

Watch out: Multiple-hook injury

Regulations: Güncel Yunanistan ve AB mevzuatı kontrol edilir

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for European anchovy?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for European anchovy is 9 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: EU 2019/1241 Ek IX + Yunan ulusal mevzuatı.

Which seas is European anchovy found in?

In our records European anchovy appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, North Aegean & Thrace — Greece, Central & South Aegean — Greece, Ionian Sea — Greece, Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece, Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus, Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus, Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus, Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus, Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus, Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus, Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus, Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus, Ligurian Sea — Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy, Adriatic — Italy, Ionian Sea — Italy, Strait of Sicily — Italy, Sardinian Sea — Italy, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Mediterranean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Balearic Sea — Spain, Alboran Sea — Spain, Gulf of Cádiz — Spain, Strait of Gibraltar — Spain.

In which months is European anchovy at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Aegean Sea September–February; North Aegean & Thrace — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Central & South Aegean — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Ionian Sea — Greece April, May, August, September, October, November; Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece April–November; Sea of Marmara all year; Black Sea all year; Mediterranean all year; Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus all year; Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus all year; Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus all year; Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus all year; Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus all year; Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Ligurian Sea — Italy April–September; Sardinian Sea — Italy April–September; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy April–September; Strait of Sicily — Italy April–September; Adriatic — Italy April–September; Ionian Sea — Italy April–September; Mediterranean — Spain April–September; Alboran Sea — Spain April–September; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain April–September; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain April–September; Cantabrian Sea — Spain April–August; Atlantic Ocean — Spain May–October; Balearic Sea — Spain April–September.

Which bait is European anchovy caught with?

Baits and lures on record: thin fish flesh, shrimp, European sardine, mamun, sülünez, micro sabiki, European anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, European sprat, European squid.