The 1 September is the start of the raor fishing season, a fish also known variously as llorito, galán and prejpeine, in English, cleaver wrasse or pearly razor fish. It is one of the most prized catches for fisherman and anglers in the Balearic Islands and has become a real tradition, with the fishing waters filled with pleasure vessels during the season. From 2000, closed seasons were established to prevent indiscriminate fishing of this species and to help it recover, as the population of the Pitiusa islands had been depleted.
This fish lives on the sandy sea bed of the warm Mediterranean and Atlantic waters and it is protected from 1 April until 1 September.
Fishing for this species is mainly a recreational pastime, as it must be fished with a hook and line and only those with a fishing licence are entitled to fish it, and moreover, the numbers that can be fished by one person and a boat are restricted.
It is rare that you will come across this species in either restaurants or markets as its price ranges from between 50 and 100 euros per kilo, earning it the title of the most expensive fish in Spain.
One advantage of visiting the island in September is the opportunity to taste this culinary treasure, which although simple to prepare, usually served fried, has a unique flavour.
More elaborate recipes are unusual, although some restaurants like to put their own special seal on the traditional methods for preparing the fish.