In season spotlight

A good selection of North Sea fish is in season in January, including cod, coley and whiting – their firm flesh ideal for a winter warming stew (or three). January is also a great time for the humble, and often overlooked, sprat.

Distributed all around the UK, from Shetland to Penzance, the whiting is the most common of all cod species found in many inshore waters.

Plentiful, affordable, easy to cook – and most importantly, delicious – mussels start coming into their very best from early November.

OK, we admit it – a herring bloater might be difficult to track down, but if you do find one, be sure to snap it up, as by the end of October this forgotten delicacy is at its best.

From September to around April, the port of Brixham, Devon sees a huge number of cuttlefish landed, most of which is exported overseas.

When it comes to cooking fish, sardines are one of the easiest – and most delicious. And August, sardines are bang in season.

Grey mullet is often overlooked by the home cook, perhaps owing to its reputation for being a sluggish, fatty fish – one which likes to linger around in brackish water and near sewage outlets. However, get your hands on a grey mullet caught in open water and you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

With its spiky, armoured shell and spindly, stilt-like legs the spider may seem a strange choice for May’s in season spotlight – but if you can look past the crab’s out-of-this-world-appearance then you’ll be rewarded.

With its spiky, armoured shell and spindly, stilt-like legs the spider may seem a strange choice for May’s in season spotlight – but if you can look past the crab’s out-of-this-world-appearance then you’ll be rewarded.

Never judge a book and all that… Despite its unusual appearance the John Dory is a very fine fish, and one growing in popularity (and price).