Key facts
- MCS downgraded European hake ratings to amber due to declining stocks.
- Coley caught around the UK is now rated red, a "fish to avoid".
- MCS recommends diversifying seafood choices to protect threatened species.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has downgraded European hake and coley ratings in its Good Fish Guide, advising UK shoppers to avoid these species due to declining stocks and increased fishing pressure. The charity recommends diversifying seafood choices to protect vulnerable fish populations.
Consumers and businesses making seafood choices face evolving sustainability ratings, impacting purchasing decisions and potentially affecting demand for certain fish species. The downgrades highlight the ongoing challenges of overfishing and environmental pressures on marine ecosystems, emphasizing the need for diversified and sustainable seafood consumption.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), an environmental charity, has updated its Good Fish Guide, urging UK shoppers to scale back on consuming hake and coley due to declining fish stocks and increased fishing pressure. The guide uses a traffic-light system to rate seafood based on stock health and environmental impact.
European hake caught in the North Sea, Celtic Seas, or Bay of Biscay has been downgraded from green to amber. Coley caught around the UK, including the North Sea, West of Scotland, Rockall and Skagerrak, has fallen from amber to red, the worst possible rating, signifying it as a "fish to avoid." Of the 10 coley fisheries rated, two remain green while eight are amber.
Kerry Lyne, the Good Fish Guide manager, stated that fish stock statuses are constantly changing, and a species that was once a good choice may no longer be sustainable. The charity highlighted that a few species, known as the "big five" (cod, haddock, salmon, tuna, and prawns), make up most of the UK's seafood consumption, placing significant pressure on wild stocks. Cod populations have been declining since 2015, primarily due to overfishing, exacerbated by changing sea temperatures affecting breeding and juvenile survival.
As an alternative, the MCS suggests wild-caught sea bass from around the UK, noting its mild white fish and flaky texture make it a suitable substitute for cod in recipes. The guide, updated twice annually, now features 29 downgrades and 11 upgrades among its 727 ratings.
On a positive note, UK Atlantic bluefin tuna has received a new green rating, reflecting a significant population recovery attributed to improved fisheries management implemented over 20 years ago. Chris Graham, the charity’s head of ocean regeneration and sustainable seafood, cautioned that this iconic species must be closely monitored to ensure continued population health.
Additionally, Lyme Bay "disco-pot" scallops were introduced with an amber rating, acknowledging the lower seabed impact of their new LED-light-equipped pots designed to attract scallops.
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