The Marine Conservation Society has updated its Good Fish Guide in line with the latest scientific advice, showing growing pressure on some of the nation’s most familiar seafood choices such as fish and chips.
The Good Fish Guide has multiple traffic light ratings for each species, depending on where and how it is caught or farmed. Some ratings for both cod and langoustine (often marketed as scampi when trawled), have declined, highlighting growing sustainability concerns for local stocks.
Several UK cod populations have been in decline since 2015, due to overfishing, climate-driven changes in sea temperatures and ecosystem pressures that affect breeding and juvenile survival. The latest update to the Good Fish Guide sees stocks from north of the UK move further down the sustainability scale – leaving no recommended choices for UK-caught cod. Better-managed fisheries, such as those in Iceland, remain a more sustainable option.
Some of the updated Good Fish Guide ratings for langoustine, also known as scampi, have been downgraded because fishing levels have been above scientifically recommended amounts in recent years, and populations are declining. Sustainability of langoustine and scampi has always varied depending on how and where it is caught – with better choices being caught by pot or creel, rather than trawled. The only three green-rated options for the species are those caught by pot or creel in North Minch, South Minch and Skagerrak and Kattegat.
As an alternative to langoustine, the Good Fish Guide has added a new rating for UK farmed king prawns, thanks to a new commercially available option in Scotland. Farmed in a completely closed system, these prawns have a much lower environmental impact. For cod, the Good Fish Guide recommends alternatives such as European hake, which is similar to cod but has healthy UK stock levels, as a more sustainable choice for a flaky white fish. Some UK haddock remains a good option, depending on where they are caught – look out for haddock caught in the North Sea or West of Scotland for a good choice.
Kerry Lyne, Good Fish Guide Manager at the Marine Conservation Society, said, “The challenge isn’t that fish and chips will disappear, but that the species must be sourced from further afield. As pressure grows on traditional choices like cod and scampi, the Good Fish Guide highlights more sustainable alternatives and shows how consumer choices can support healthier local fish stocks and better-managed fisheries.”
It’s not just fish and chips which have come under scrutiny with this update to the Good Fish Guide. Mackerel, which moved off the charity’s recommended list last April and has recently been taken off the shelves by retailers including Waitrose, is now red-rated, meaning consumers are advised to completely avoid it.
The UK imports around 80% of the seafood it consumes. The Marine Conservation Society is calling for improved management of domestic fisheries to help rebuild stocks and reduce reliance on imports. The Good Fish Guide recommends some well-managed UK options such as seabass from the North Sea, English Channel and Celtic Sea, or plaice from the North Sea, as well as some UK farmed seafood like blue mussels and freshwater trout, which offer more sustainable local alternatives.
Chris Graham, Head of Sustainable Seafood and Ocean Regeneration at the Marine Conservation Society, said, “As an island nation, the UK has long relied on its fishing communities and the seas that support them. It’s deeply concerning seeing so many of our iconic fisheries – from cod to mackerel – under increasing pressure.
“While climate change is playing a role, years of overfishing and poor management have also taken their toll. We need strong action from the UK Government to support a transition to low-impact fisheries and sustainable seafood farming, helping to restore our seas and secure the future of these vital industries.”
The charity updates a proportion of ratings on the Good Fish Guide twice a year, depending on the latest scientific advice. The next update is due to be in October.
Visit the charity’s website for more information on the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide and how the ratings work
