End of the line for cod?

Conservationists are raising alarms about the dangerously dwindling fish stocks in the North Sea as scientists advocate for a complete halt to cod fishing in the upcoming year.

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The latest guidance from the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) strongly recommends that fishing quotas for cod in the Northern shelf be reduced to zero for the year 2026. This crucial region includes the English Channel, stretches of the North Sea, parts of Norway, and the western coastline of Scotland.

Particularly alarming is the state of cod in the southern section of the Northern shelf, which has experienced a staggering 61% reduction in stock levels over the past decade. In comparison, the northwestern area near Scotland has witnessed a 37% decline, while stocks in the Viking area off Norway have fallen by 23% since 2015, as reported by ICES.

Impact on Livelihoods

The ICES provides scientific advice on optimal fishing limits that would aid in sustainable stock management. However, fishing quotas established for the North Sea are determined through annual negotiations between coastal nations, including the UK and Norway, often resulting in quotas that exceed these scientific recommendations.

Hugo Tagholm, Executive Director of Oceana UK, emphasized the critical situation facing North Sea cod, stating that the species is “in grave danger of collapse.” He pointed to his charity’s 2023 assessment of fish stocks that warned of this very outcome.

“Our repeated warnings about various populations at risk have been largely overlooked, leading to a rise in fishing pressures as larger industrial vessels increasingly crowd out local fishing operations,” Tagholm lamented. “The future of coastal communities and livelihoods relies on the right decisions being made today, along with the right support for fishers during this transition.”

Concerning Trends

The health of our seas is at stake if current practices continue, Tagholm cautioned. “If we persist with this aggressive depletion of marine life, many more stocks will face the same fate as cod, and recovery could take decades.” He urged for immediate action to revitalize marine ecosystems, advocating for a strategic and just end to overfishing, grounded in scientific facts.

Jonny Hughes, Senior UK Marine Policy Manager at conservation charity Blue Marine, echoed Tagholm’s concerns, indicating that the new ICES assessment identifies North Sea cod, along with stocks in the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea, as effectively collapsed.

“For a fish stock to be placed under a zero catch recommendation, it’s an indicator of an abysmal state,” he noted, highlighting that cod stocks join haddock in the Celtic Sea in a concerning trend of population collapses.

The Role of Industrial Fishing

Hughes attributed the decline to past decisions prioritizing short-term profits for a select few wealthy fishing companies, negatively impacting the environment and community-based fishing in the long term. “This collapse was predictable and inevitable,” he stated, comparing the management of fisheries to playing a dangerous game with serious consequences.

Conservationists also express mounting concerns about mackerel populations, with scientific advice expected soon, urging negotiations to heed expert guidance this year to safeguard these critical stocks.

Erica Finnie, Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace UK, remarked, “This crisis exposes the mismanagement of our oceans for industrial profit, rather than prioritizing small-scale fishers, coastal communities, and marine protection.”

Calls for Sustainable Practices

“With North Sea cod on the brink, and industrial fishing operations still exploiting Marine Protected Areas, a zero catch quota complemented by comprehensive protections is essential if the UK Government is sincere about marine conservation, health of our seas, and the sustainability of livelihoods in local communities,” she asserted.

A Defra spokesperson commented, “It is crucial for the UK, EU, and Norway to collaborate in addressing the challenges posed by managing this international stock. We are dedicated to rebuilding it to sustainable levels, ensuring the long-term viability of the UK fishing fleet.”

This Author

Emily Beament is the environment correspondent for PA Media.