One of the most popular British coastal food traditions – cod and chips – may no longer be a sustainable choice in the future, scientists warn, due to a sharp decline in fish stocks.
According to the Marine Conservation Society, which has updated its guide to sustainable fish choices, there is no longer any positive recommendation for cod caught in British waters. Experts suggest European hake as a better alternative.
Around 167 million meals of fish and chips are consumed in Britain each year, but cod stocks are constantly declining and the situation is getting worse.
Even for scampi (langoustines) the news is not better: they have been downgraded in sustainability classification, due to overfishing and the decline of their population.
Declining reserves and climate impact
Experts say UK cod populations have been declining since 2015, due to overfishing, rising sea temperatures and changes in marine ecosystems that affect reproduction.
According to the guide, even when cod is consumed, it should be imported from other countries. Fish caught in the Arctic is recommended to be avoided, while the best option remains Icelandic cod caught with more sustainable methods such as vertical nets or special lines.
As for alternatives, a good portion of haddock from the North Sea and West Scotland is still considered an acceptable choice.
Scampi and environmental impact
Langoustines are also facing new restrictions. Scientists recommend that they be caught with less destructive methods, such as traditional traps (pots), instead of fishing with nets that are dragged along the seabed.
As a more sustainable alternative, the use of shrimp farmed in the United Kingdom, which has a lower environmental impact, is suggested.
The organization also warns about mackerel fish, which has already been removed from the recommended list and is classified as a product to be avoided.
Currently, around 80% of Britain's seafood is imported, while experts are calling for better management of domestic fisheries to recover natural stocks.
Climate impact warnings
Recent studies have also raised concerns about the impact of intensive fishing on the climate, highlighting that methods such as bottom trawling can release large amounts of carbon stored in marine sediments for thousands of years.
According to researchers, these practices not only damage marine ecosystems, but also contribute to increased carbon emissions, adding to the pressure to change fishing methods. /GazetaExpress/
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