Cod stocks in Britain have decreased by 48% over the past decade, a concerning fact that indicates the government's disregard for scientific advice. A report from the Blue Marine Foundation emphasizes that overfishing has pushed many fish stocks to the brink of extinction.
Severe Decline in Stocks in the Celtic Sea
According to new data, cod stocks in the Celtic Sea, one of five cod populations in Britain, have decreased by 98% over the past 10 years. Additionally, stocks of plaice in the Irish Sea have dropped from 20,952 tons in 2016 to just 2,590 tons in 2025, representing an 88% decline over nine years.
Meanwhile, the total weight of herring in the waters off the west coast of Scotland has decreased by 93%, and the total weight of mackerel in the Northeast Atlantic has dropped to three-quarters. Environmental activists believe that authorities continue to allow fishing beyond the limits set by scientists, which harms the health of the stocks.
Consequences of Ignoring Scientific Advice
Claire Brook, Executive Director of the Blue Marine Foundation, states: "This is neither rocket science nor even climate science. The reality is very simple: if you catch more fish than scientists recommend, you will have less fish the following year. If you do this over a decade, you will face a decline in stocks."
The Blue Marine Foundation emphasizes in its report that cod stocks have severely declined, and some fish populations have fallen to such low levels that scientists have recommended a complete halt to their catch to allow for recovery. The organization also points out that the UK government has prioritized short-term industry interests over scientific advice.
Since 2016, the UK government has introduced measures to create a sustainable fishing industry and a healthy marine environment, but the Blue Marine Foundation believes these measures have not yet been strong and effective enough.
Reports indicate that since the UK left the European Union, there has not been a single year where the majority of catch limits have been set at sustainable levels. This has led to continued declines in fish populations and intensified scientific warnings.
However, some species such as sole, sea bass, and boarfish have seen population increases. The Blue Marine Foundation calls for authorities to set catch limits at sustainable levels and install electronic monitoring equipment on fishing vessels.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has stated that they are using the best scientific advice to set catch limits to restore fish stocks to sustainable levels and support the UK fishing industry.
