The average landing figures for the years 1986 to 1990 were 1,393t and this has declined by 80% compared with the average figures for the years 2001 to 2005 being 278t.[1] In the European Union over 1,000t was landed in 1995 but this had fallen to less than 100t by 2008.[6] The species is now being farmed in aquaculture in countries such a Cyprus.[7] The European record for a fish caught by an angler is 11.2 kg, this fish was caught in 1992 off Corsica.[8] This species is also pursued by spear fishers.[9]