18 May 2026
Photo by Lance Anderson A new study has identified the specific genetic mutations that allowed the Atlantic herring to colonise the Baltic Sea thousands of years ago, findings that shed new light on evolution in action, and that their lead author says provide a compelling argument for much more restrictive industrial fishing of the […]
14 Apr 2026
Image description: a plate of fish and chips. Photo by Nik British consumers are being urged to “completely avoid” UK-caught cod after the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) downgraded the species to its lowest possible rating in its twice-yearly Good Fish Guide – a stark verdict on a fish that has been central to British culture for generations. […]
10 Mar 2026
Photo by Franki Chamaki A wave of UK supermarkets is pulling back from northeast Atlantic mackerel amid growing concern over stock levels, after scientific advice called for a 70% reduction in catches to allow populations to recover. Waitrose moved first, announcing on 26 February that it would suspend sourcing of fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by […]
03 Mar 2026
Photo by Richard Bell Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to suspend the sourcing and sale of north-east Atlantic mackerel, the Guardian reports, citing scientific advice that current catch levels are insufficient to rebuild the stock to sustainable levels. Fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel will be removed from sale by 29 April 2026, with tinned products […]
30 Dec 2025
The UK government has published new determinations for fishing opportunities in 2026, confirming that catch limits for whiting in the Celtic Sea will be set higher than scientific recommendations. The decision, released on 23 December 2025, follows international negotiations aimed at balancing the long-term health of fish stocks with the economic survival of coastal […]
30 Dec 2025
The European Commission has expressed profound concern following a new agreement on mackerel fishing quotas between the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. In a strongly worded statement, Brussels warned that the arrangement, signed on 15 December 2025, threatens the long-term survival of one of the North-East Atlantic’s most significant fish stocks […]
25 Nov 2025
Photo by Ben Wicks The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission’s annual meeting has ended in deadlock after most members rejected EU proposals to set mackerel and blue whiting quotas in line with scientific advice, raising fears of continued severe overfishing. The meeting, held in London from 11th to 14th November, failed to reach comprehensive […]
30 Sep 2025
Photo by Ricardo Resende Industry rejects scientific advice as catastrophic The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has recommended zero catch quotas for all cod stocks in the Northern Shelf for 2026, prompting strong responses from fishing industry representatives who warn the advice could devastate fleets across Scotland and England. Mike […]
