Blurs

Between 2016 and 2025, some of Britain's familiar fish stocks suffered extraordinary declines. Now scientists are recommending zero catches for several stocks — while fishing continues under negotiated quotas. For generations, cod, haddock and whiting have been staples of Britain's fishing industry and dinner tables. But beneath the surface, something remarkable has happened. An analysis of International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) stock-assessment data by the Blue Marine Foundation found that the estimated weight of mature Celtic Sea cod capable of reproducing fell by 98% between 2016 and 2025. Other British stocks have also suffered severe declines. Irish Sea haddock fell by approximately 79%, while whiting declined by around 73% in the stocks examined by the analysis. And the scientific warnings are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. ICES has now recommended zero catches for Celtic Sea cod for 2027, while its advice also calls for zero catches of Ce...