Lovers of our brisling sardines might be as excited as we are to hear that it’s the fishing season for these tasty little fish. This means that fishermen are out as we speak, sailing chilly waters to catch these tiny premium sardines and ensure we have enough for Canadians to enjoy in the coming year. But what makes Club Des Millionnaires’ brislings so special and what’s a fishing season like, you might wonder. Fear not, we’re happy to share all the fascinating, fishy details.

Brisling Sardines: Sprattus Sprattus

You might have already known that sardines were named after the ancient Italian island of Sardinia and that there are over 21 species of them swimming the world’s seas and oceans. While many of these species are pretty darn tasty, brislings are considered to be the smallest and most sought after.

Scientifically, brislings are known as Sprattus Sprattus and they are considered premium because of their flavour and texture. Remarkably tender, brislings have a smooth, distinctive taste. Delicate and flavourful, these sardines are perfect on their own or in our favourite recipes. They’re versatile, making them great to cook with, and are a natural source of nutrients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. These make them the perfect snack or meal ingredient to have on hand when you want a quick and tasty health boost.

Fishing Season

The ideal time to catch brislings is when they’re in their prime and uniquely nutritious. In general, this time of year falls in the months of October and November. Though brislings can be caught in several areas, Club Des Millionnaires brislings are fished in the Northeast Atlantic off the coasts of Scotland and the UK.

Because they’re plentiful and reproduce quickly, brislings are considered to be a sustainable species by nature. That being said, Club Des Millionnaires works with fishermen to ensure that our sardines are caught in the most responsible way possible. The fisheries we work with are considered artisanal fisheries under the UK Department for Environment, and Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Our suppliers use boats that are certified under the UK’s Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS). These fishing boats single or pair trawl, skimming the top level of the sea with pelagic nets. This ensures that the seafloor remains undisturbed.

At Club Des Millionnaires, we always get a little excited about the fishing season, knowing that it will bring more tasty brislings for Canadians to enjoy. We’re also extremely proud to honour our commitment to sustainable and responsible fishing. If you haven’t tried our brislings yet, there’s no better time than the present, especially now that you can enjoy them knowing that they’re sustainable and responsibly caught. Try them on toast, crackers or in one of our great recipes!