Dab (Limanda limanda) are the principal target fish species in offshore biomonitoring programmes in the UK; however, detailed knowledge of genetic structure and connectivity among sampling locations is unavailable. Here, the isolation and characterization of 30 polymorphic microsatellite loci for dab is described. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 42, with observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.089 to 1. These loci will enable high resolution of genetic population structure and dynamics of dab around the British Isles.