The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), a UK environmental charity, has warned shoppers to scale back their consumption of European hake and coley after lowering the sustainability ratings for both species in its latest Good Fish Guide.
The guide, which is used by consumers and businesses to make seafood choices, applies a traffic-light rating system to indicate the health of fish stocks and the environmental impacts of fishing practices. The charity said declining stock levels and increased fishing pressure were the main reasons for the downgraded advice for hake and coley, which have previously been recommended as alternatives to UK-caught cod.
The change in guidance reflects growing concern among conservationists about the state of certain whitefish stocks and the sustainability of current fishing patterns. For shoppers, restaurants and retailers that have shifted away from cod toward hake and coley in response to previous advisories, the MCS downgrade is likely to complicate sourcing decisions at a time when many consumers are already navigating fluctuating fish availability.
The MCS said the Good Fish Guide is intended to help reduce pressure on overexploited species by steering demand toward more sustainable options. It urged buyers to consult the latest advice when choosing seafood and to consider a wider range of alternatives to help protect vulnerable stocks.
Retailers and suppliers will face increased scrutiny as the guidance influences purchasing and menu choices. Conservation groups have for years lobbied for management measures to address overfishing, and the updated ratings are expected to renew calls for stronger stock protections and better monitoring of fishing activity.
The MCS update is part of a broader effort to inform consumers about the environmental consequences of seafood consumption, and to promote fishing practices that maintain healthy marine ecosystems and long-term availability of popular species.