and hand lines. The majority of landings of European plaice are caught in the North Sea. Total landings peaked in 1985-1990 when approximately 200 thousand tonnes were landed, current landings are generally less than 120 thousand tonnes. After a period of time in the 1980s and 1990s where landings exceeded management advice for several stocks, the fishing pressure has been reduced and the status of the stocks has improved and all the stocks are considered to be within safe biological limits as defined by ICES. As a food Plaice is sometimes used as the fish in fish and chips, in countries where the dish is popular. In North German and Danish cuisine, plaice is one of the most commonly eaten fishes. Filleted, battered, and pan-fried plaice is popular hot or cold as an open sandwich topping together with remoulade sauce and lemon slices. Battered plaice can also be served hot with french fries and remoulade sauce as a main dish; this fish and chips variant is commonly available as a children's special in Danish restaurants. Breaded frozen plaice, ready to be baked or fried at home, is readily available in supermarkets. Fresh plaice is also oven-baked. References Cooper, J.A. and F. Chapleau (1998). Monophyly and intrarelationships of the family Pleuronectidae (Pleuronectiformes), with a revised classification. Fish. Bull., U.S. 96(4):686-726. (1991). Changes in fecundity of female North Sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) between three periods since 1900. ICES Journal of Marine Science 48:253-280. (1953). The plaice being the buckland lectures. Publisher Edward Arnold. (2004). Flatfishes: Biology and Exploitation. Blackwell Publishing. External links Guide to Responsible Sourcing of Plaice - produced by Seafish https://web.archive.org/web/20071008001434/http://www.seafish.org/upload/file/fisheries_management/Plaice%20Factsheet2%20%20final.pdf Information about plaice Pleuronectes Commercial fish Fish of the North Sea Fish described in 1758 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus