The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has urged consumers to “completely avoid” buying UK-caught cod, warning that populations have reached a dangerous point of decline despite zero-catch recommendations. The environmental charity downgraded all UK-caught cod to its worst possible rating in its Good Fish Guide, recommending European hake as a sustainable alternative.
Kerry Lyne, Good Fish Guide manager, called the downgrade a “warning signal” and said the UK government needed to “address these concerns to allow stocks to recover”. Trawled scampi has also been downgraded; only pot- or creel-caught scampi is now recommended.
Cod populations have been declining since 2015, primarily due to overfishing, though changing sea temperatures and ecosystem pressures have also affected breeding and juvenile survival. Last year, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommended a zero-catch policy for 2026 in the North Sea, warning that commercial fishing risked pushing cod below safe reproduction levels.
The advice has not been followed, but in December, minister for food security and rural affairs Angela Eagle announced a 44% cut in cod fishing for 2026, following negotiations with the EU and Norway. An industry publication reported that fishers were “reluctantly resigned to the cut” due to seeing fewer cod than usual.
Chris Graham, head of sustainable seafood at the MCS, said: “It’s deeply concerning seeing so many of our iconic fisheries – from cod to mackerel – under increasing pressure.” He echoed calls for the government to transition to low-impact fishing practices to rebuild stocks and reduce reliance on imports, noting that about 80% of UK seafood is imported.
The MCS recommends sustainable alternatives such as Icelandic cod, European hake, North Sea haddock, seabass, plaice, and UK-farmed seafood like blue mussels and freshwater trout. The Good Fish Guide is updated twice a year based on the latest scientific advice on stock levels and management plans.
