Latest news with #GoodFishGuide
The Guardian
09-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Mackerel stocks near breaking point because of overfishing, say experts
Mackerel stocks are nearing a 'breaking point', experts have said as the fish is downgraded as a sustainable option. People should be eating herring instead, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said, because mackerel continues to be overfished by countries including Norway and the UK. Every year the MCS releases the Good Fish Guide, which ranks choices based on how overfished they are. Northeast Atlantic mackerel, for example, once plentiful and viewed as a more sustainable fish choice, has, over the last four years, been overfished by an average of 23%. Alice Moore, the manager of the Good Fish Guide at the MCS, said: 'It's deeply concerning to see a source of seafood that was once a sustainable choice in such decline. Mackerel is under immense pressure from fishing activities across multiple nations, and the stock will soon be no longer able to sustain itself. We're witnessing a steady decline in numbers, and they are nearing a breaking point. Immediate action must be taken by the UK government to work with other nations to align catch limits with scientific advice.' Their guide uses a traffic light system for consumers, and a 1 to 5 scale for businesses. The system colour-codes each rating depending on where and how a species is caught or farmed: green (ratings 1 or 2) for the 'best choice' options, amber (ratings 3 or 4) for improvements needed, and red (rating 5) for 'fish to avoid'. It is recommended that businesses, including restaurants and supermarkets, stock only seafood rated 1 to 3. Now, Northeast Atlantic mackerel caught by midwater trawl has been moved from a 3 to a 4, meaning restaurants and businesses are recommended not to sell it. This method of catching the fish is most commonly used by suppliers to supermarkets and restaurants. Mackerel caught in the Northeast Atlantic by hook and line has moved from a 2 to a 3. The fish, caught by Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the UK, continue to overfish it. Total catch limits (TACs) set by all parties have consistently exceeded scientifically recommended levels by between 5% and 80% since 2009. Between 2020-24 TACs were, on average, 39% higher than scientific advice. Herring from the North Sea and eastern Channel is a more sustainable alternative to mackerel, the charity said, as are sardines from Cornwall. Monkfish caught in the North Sea has been upgraded from amber to green, and blue marlin has moved off the red list. MusselsThe MCS calls mussels farmed in the UK a 'seafood superhero' because they are grown using methods that have a low impact on the marine environment and harvested by hand. Ditch the 'big five'The most popular seafood consumed in the UK are from the big five: cod, haddock, salmon, tuna, and prawns. Lesser-known species such as coley and hake typically come from more plentiful stocks, making them a sustainable option. Use a local fishmongerRather than grabbing something off a supermarket shelf, the MCS recommends shoppers visit their local fishmonger for expert advice on what's fresh, locally caught and in season and can recommend affordable, sustainable alternatives to popular fish. Go for tinnedThe charity recommends sardines from Cornwall and anchovies from the Bay of Biscay. Buy whole fishInstead of pre-cut fillets, consider buying whole fish such as hake or lemon sole. Whole fish are often more affordable, and every part, including bones and skin, can be used to create homemade stocks. The charity recommends whole plaice or lemon sole from the North Sea.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mackerel slips further down the sustainability scale in latest ‘good fish guide'
Mackerel is under immense pressure from overfishing, conservationists warned, as they lowered its rating in the latest sustainable fish guide. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has updated its Good Fish Guide, which uses a traffic light system for consumers, along with a one to five scale for businesses, to highlight seafood which is sustainable to eat. The charity warns that once-sustainable mackerel is in 'such decline' that Northeast Atlantic stock caught by midwater trawl – which makes up most of what supermarkets and restaurants sell – has been downgraded from a three to a four, recommending businesses do not source it. Mackerel caught in the Northeast Atlantic by hook and line moves down from a two to a three in the ratings. The Marine Conservation Society first took mackerel off the 'best choice' list, downgrading it from green to amber, two years ago, due to overfishing. Now it is warning that mackerel numbers are reaching breaking point. The charity said that although some management measures are in place, countries including the UK, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands are all fishing the stock but there is no overall management plan across the fishery to prevent overfishing. The catch limits set by countries have consistently exceeded scientifically recommended levels by between 5% and 80% since 2009, and in the past four years, the total allowable catches were on average 39% higher than the scientific advice, the MCS said. Although the amount of mackerel caught has typically fallen below the catch limits, they have still exceeded recommended levels by an average of 23%, or 188,410 tonnes, the charity said. The conservationists called for countries to work together to develop a strategy that leads to the recovery of the mackerel stock. And they recommend consumers look for herring from the North Sea and eastern English Channel as a sustainable alternative, or opt for sardines from Cornwall which have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. Alice Moore, Good Fish Guide manager at the MCS, said: 'It's deeply concerning to see a source of seafood that was once a sustainable choice in such decline. 'Mackerel is under immense pressure from fishing activities across multiple nations, and the stock will soon be no longer able to sustain itself. 'We're witnessing a steady decline in numbers, and they are nearing a breaking point. 'Immediate action must be taken by the UK Government to work with other nations to align catch limits with scientific advice.' An Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson said: 'Sustainability is at the heart of our approach to supporting the UK fishing industry and to our international negotiations. 'We have already taken action with Norway and the Faroe islands to reduce fishing pressure on the North East Atlantic mackerel stock. 'We continue to work closely with the other coastal states, including the EU, to reach an arrangement that will ensure the most productive and sustainable management of the stock possible.' Under the Good Fish Guide, which is updated twice a year, seafood is rated depending on where or how a species is caught or farmed, with the one and two grades coded green for the best choice options, while fish are amber-listed and given a three or four rating for improvements needed. Those rated worst, with a red traffic light and a five-rating, are classed as 'fish to avoid', while the MCS recommends businesses such as supermarkets and restaurants do not sell fish rated lower than a three. This spring's Good Fish Guide update also sees monkfish caught in the North Sea move from amber to green – becoming a 'best choice' fish – and blue marlin off the red list, from a five to a four, due to what the charity describes as a 'slight improvement' in fishing pressure. Farmed ratings remain the same, with certified responsibly produced basa and tilapia still green rated, and farmed bluefin tuna remaining red rated, the MCS said.
