Ditch the Cod? UK's Favourite Fish Vanishing

Cod and chips, a long-standing British seaside favorite, faces an uncertain future as cod populations have sharply declined. The Marine Conservation Society's updated Good Fish Guide indicates no recommended UK-caught cod options, suggesting a shift towards alternatives like European hake.

Since 2015, UK cod stocks have been affected by overfishing, changing sea temperatures, and ecosystem pressures that hinder breeding. Consequently, any cod consumed in the UK should now be imported, with Arctic-caught cod also advised against. The guide specifies Icelandic cod caught by longline or gillnet as the best choice.

This updated guidance also affects scampi (langoustines), which have been downgraded due to fishing levels exceeding recommended amounts. For scampi, conservationists advocate for pot or creel caught options over trawled, and suggest UK-farmed king prawns as a more sustainable alternative.

Beyond cod and scampi, mackerel is now rated as a species to avoid entirely. The UK imports approximately 80% of its seafood, prompting calls for better management of domestic fisheries to rebuild stocks. Recommended sustainable UK options include seabass from certain areas, plaice from the North Sea, and UK-farmed blue mussels and freshwater trout.