UK cod stocks have plummeted by 48% over the last decade, a report by the ocean charity Blue Marine Foundation has found, raising concerns that overfishing is pushing fish populations to the brink of collapse. The study highlights that government fisheries regulators have been setting catch limits above scientifically recommended levels, effectively ignoring advice aimed at ensuring healthy fish populations.
The Celtic Sea, home to one of five distinct cod populations in the UK, has experienced a particularly severe decline, with the total weight of mature, reproducing fish dropping by 98% in the past 10 years. Other significant declines include an 88% reduction in Irish Sea plaice, a 93% drop in West of Scotland herring, and a 75% decrease in Northeast Atlantic mackerel.
Clare Brook, CEO of Blue Marine Foundation, stated that the situation is a direct consequence of taking more fish than advised by scientists. "If you do that over a decade, you will have stock collapse," she said. "Fisheries regulators need to stop being swayed by short–term industry greed and start setting catch limits within clear scientific guidance."
The report analyzed stock assessment data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, comparing the estimated total weight of mature fish in British waters in 2016 and 2025. The findings indicate that cod, a staple in British fisheries, has been reduced to a fraction of its former abundance.
Haddock, another popular fish and chip shop item, has also seen a significant decline, with its total weight in the Irish Sea falling by 79%. While the report identifies stark declines in several key species, it also notes increases in some, such as sole, seabass, and boarfish, as well as haddock in the North Sea and Rockall.
Conservationists argue that despite the opportunity Brexit presented for the UK to regain more control over its fisheries, consecutive governments have not implemented sufficiently strong or effective measures to rebuild depleted stocks. The report suggests that annual negotiations have continued to prioritize competing demands and industry interests over scientific recommendations, resulting in a situation where "there has not been a single year in which the majority of UK catch limits have been set at sustainable levels."
Blue Marine Foundation is urging ministers to set catch limits in line with scientific advice, install electronic monitoring equipment on fishing vessels to accurately count catches, publish binding recovery plans for depleted stocks, and reward low-impact fishing practices when allocating quotas.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated that the government uses the best available scientific advice to set catch limits for stock restoration and to support the fishing industry. They also noted ongoing work with the fishing and seafood sectors to ensure their vibrancy, profitability, and sustainability, while supporting a healthy marine environment.
To address concerns about overfished species, the Marine Conservation Society recommends consumers swap cod for alternatives like European hake, and haddock for coley. Other suggested sustainable choices include herring, plaice, mussels, and farmed trout.