Key fish stocks have declined further according to the latest Good Fish Guide from the Marine Conservation Society.
Rating seafood caught, farmed or sold in the UK, the Guide gives a traffic-light rating for each fish or shellfish depending on how and where it was caught or farmed.
North Sea herring has been downgraded from green-rated to an amber score, due to an increased fishing pressure, which means there are now no green-rated options for herring.
“Herring plays a crucial role in our intertwined ocean food chain,” said Gareth Cunningham, director of policy and conservation at the MCS.
“Its decline could have ripple effects across the ecosystem and impact iconic species like dolphins, seals and sea birds who depend on them as a food source. We urgently need to improve management to protect these stocks and help protect all marine life.”
Additionally, two of the UK’s most-eaten species, cod and haddock, have seen the ratings of some fisheries downgraded among growing concern for their sustainability.
There are no green-rated cod stocks in UK seas. Most cod is imported into the UK from Icelandic or Arctic stocks and while Icelandic Atlantic cod remains green-rated, Atlantic cod caught in the Northeast Arctic moves from low amber to red rated, reflecting a decline in population and increased fishing pressure.
Haddock from the Southern Celtic Seas has also been downrated to a red due to low population levels and overfishing. It also has high discard rates and significant bycatch of cod and whiting, which are both under zero catch advice in the area due to depletion of stocks.
Northeast Arctic haddock has also seen ratings drop despite being previously considered more sustainable.
“The further downgrade of cod and haddock is a clear sign that cod and haddock fisheries need to be urgently better managed, and scientific advice adhered to,” said Chris Graham, head of ocean regeneration and sustainable seafood.
“We must see the UK government take strong action to reduce fishing pressure on our own fish stocks where they are depleted and support a shift to low-impact fishing practices, to help recover our seas so that we can continue to enjoy these classics and marine life can flourish,” he added.
Elsewhere, seabass has seen an improvement in ratings across several regions including the North Sea, English Channel and Bay of Biscay, where ratings have changed from amber to green rated, due to good compliance with management and an improved outlook on population levels.
With pressure remaining at safe levels and catches of seabass below scientific advice for some years, these stocks are showing signs of recovery.
This comes as Thai Union has announced proactive plans to diversify its mackerel sourcing to alleviate pressure on the at-risk Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock.
The stock is so depleted that there needs to be a 77% reduction in catches in 2026, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea said.
Beginning in 2026, the company will shift towards more abundant and sustainable mackerel species such as Scomber colias, Scomber japonicus or Trachurus murphyi.
Princes also announced a move away from Northeast Atlantic sourcing of this fish last month in light of the updated guidance.
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