The cuttlefish has been named ‘Fish of the Year’ in Flanders by the Flemish Agro and Fish Marketing Centre. It is in fact a cephalopod, related to the squid and the octopus, rather than a fish. The sector hopes the award will help raise the profile of a species that remains underappreciated.
The animal has ten arms, an internal calcareous skeleton and a remarkable ability to camouflage itself. Because it lives for only one to two years, its populations can recover quickly. It is found across much of the Atlantic, from southern Norway to West Africa, and appears to be spreading to new locations as the climate changes.
In 2024, cuttlefish landings rose by 25% to 2,248 tonnes, equivalent to 19% of all fish landed in Belgium. Cuttlefish accounted for 79% of cephalopods landed, making it the most common species in Flemish ports.
With its firm texture and slightly nutty flavour, it can be grilled, fried or stewed. Even so, only 6.3% of Belgians buy fresh cuttlefish, squid or octopus, and many are more familiar with frozen calamari.
