The future of Britain’s Friday teatime staple – fish and chips – could be under threat due to overfishing, conservationists warn.
Oceana UK is urging the government to set catch quotas, or risk key fish stocks facing “imminent” collapse.
A report from the charity says many fish stocks are in a perilous state, with half of the country’s top 10 commercial stocks either at critically low levels, being over-exploited, or both.
That includes the North Sea’s cod, for which scientists have recommended a “zero catch” quota this year to protect stock, edible crab populations, herring, and North East Atlantic mackerel.
Overall, just two fifths (41%) of 105 UK commercial fish stocks are assessed as being in a healthy state, the report adds, with more than a quarter (27%) overfished.
One in four (25%) are being over-exploited, with current fishing quotas in excess of scientific advice to ensure sustainable populations in future.
Oceana UK’s executive director, Hugo Tagholm, said: “If we carry on like this, without strategic action based on the science, collapse for some of these stocks could be imminent.
“The fish and chip supper is a British staple which is much-loved not just around the coasts but in all parts of the country, and we need to make sure that can continue.”
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Mr Tagholm pointed to examples of catch limits on West of Scotland haddock and North Sea plaice. In place since 2020, both species now have healthy populations.
But the industry would need support from the government to ensure more limits did not impact their livelihoods.
A spokesperson for the environment department (Defra) said: “Defra are working with the fishing industry to promote British seafood and manage stocks sustainably – and have announced a brand new £360m fisheries and coastal growth fund to drive growth in the sector.
“We are committed to restoring our stocks to sustainable levels and have made significant progress over the past five years, while continuing to support the long-term viability of our domestic fishing industry.”
