Distributed in the North-east Atlantic from the Barents Sea and Iceland southwards to the Bay of Biscay. Also present in the Baltic Sea.
Species inhabits usually sandy bottoms, from shallow waters to about 120 m depth. It feeds on a wide variety of prey including crustaceans, molluscs and small fish.
Mainly caught as by-catch in beam trawl, otter trawl and seine fisheries.
DID YOU KNOW
The dab is used as a biomarker for monitoring programmes as it is susceptible to disease and lesions are easily visually manifested.