“Consumers should completely avoid purchasing and consuming UK-caught codThis is the alarm raised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), according to which cod populations have reached a point of dangerous decline, despite recommendations to stop intensive fishing.
MCS, an environmental conservation charity, has indeed updated its Good Fish Guidea guide that helps consumers and businesses make sustainable choices when it comes to seafood.
In recent days, the organization has downgraded cod caught in the UK, giving it the worst possible score, and now its warning is clear: consumers should choose European cod, also known as bay cod, as an alternative, a more sustainable white fish choice. For the same reason, the score for scampi caught with trawls has also been lowered and the guide now recommends exclusively scampi caught with traps or creels, a less invasive and more sustainable fishing technique.
Cod, in particular, has seen a decline in its populations since 2015. The main cause is overfishing, although other factors, such as changing sea temperatures and pressures on ecosystems, have impacted the reproduction and survival of young fish.
Last year, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) suggested a zero-catch policy for 2026 in the North Sea and surrounding waters and warned that at this point in decline, commercial fishing could push cod populations below the numbers needed for safe reproduction.
Unfortunately, this advice was not followed, and last December the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs announced a 44% reduction in cod fishing for 2026, a decision taken following annual negotiations with the EU and Norway over shared fish resources.
Similar concerns were raised last year about the fishery mackerel (mackerel), when overfishing caused by quota disagreements between the UK and its coastal neighbors had depleted fish resources, leading to mackerel being removed from the list of recommended fish in the Good Fish Guide.
It is deeply worrying to see so many of our historic fisheries resources – from cod to mackerel – under increasing pressure, highlights Chris Graham, sustainable fisheries manager at MCS.
Graham reiterated Lyne’s calls for the Government to take decisive action to transition to low-impact fishing practices to “help rebuild stocks and reduce import dependency”. In fact, around 80% of the fish consumed in the UK is imported.
To make sustainable choices, MCS advised consumers to consider alternatives to UK cod, such as Icelandic cod, which is plentiful and not subject to overfishing. Locally, the guide recommends European cod as a sustainable choice, as does cod, particularly if caught in the North Sea or west of Scotland.
Other options for consumers wanting to make sustainable choices include North Sea sea bass or sole, and UK-grown fish such as blue mussels and freshwater trout.
The MCS updates its guide twice a year Good Fish Guidebased on the latest scientific advice, focusing in particular on stock levels and sustainable management plans.
Sustainability, responsible fishing and conscious choices: these are the watchwords for the future of our seas and our fish resources. With clear pressure on fisheries and the growing impact of climate change, our role as consumers is more crucial than ever.
Avoiding UK-caught cod, as suggested by the MCS, is not only a responsibility to the environment, but also a call to awareness of the resources we have available. It’s never too late to make sustainable choices, and every small step towards more responsible fishing can make a difference to the health of our planet.
