Whiting
VU

Whiting

Merlangius merlangus

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlangius

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Whiting populations have declined significantly due to intensive commercial fishing pressure, with the species experiencing overexploitation across much of its range in the Northeast Atlantic. Bottom trawling activities not only directly harvest whiting but also degrade the sandy and muddy seabed habitats essential for juvenile development. Climate change is altering water temperatures and prey distribution patterns, affecting spawning success and recruitment rates in traditional breeding areas.

Threat summary

Habitat

Whiting inhabit coastal and continental shelf waters of the Northeast Atlantic, typically found over sandy and muddy bottoms at depths ranging from shallow inshore areas to approximately 200 meters. Juveniles prefer shallow coastal waters and estuaries, while adults move to deeper offshore waters for spawning.

MARINE· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Whiting classified as Vulnerable?
Whiting is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Whiting populations have declined significantly due to intensive commercial fishing pressure, with the species experiencing overexploitation across much of its range in the Northeast Atlantic. Bottom trawling activities not only directly harvest whiting but also degrade the sandy and muddy seabed habitats essential for juvenile development. Climate change is altering water temperatures and prey distribution patterns, affecting spawning success and recruitment rates in traditional breeding areas.
Where does Whiting live?
Whiting occurs in Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, and Denmark (plus 27 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Whiting?
The main threats to Whiting are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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