15/04/2026
Cod - yes or no ? 🤔🐟
There’s once again a huge amount of confusion surrounding the sustainability of North Atlantic cod following the down grading of its rating to a 5 (must avoid) by for their Good Fish Guide
This message needs clarification, as the issue is complex and the ‘top-down’ one size fits all narrative is not helpful, especially when the media put out overly sensationalist headlines such as ‘ditch the seaside staple’
Yes, undoubtedly there are issues with cod populations, especially with what we call the Southern stock that historically resides in the North Sea, Channel and Celtic Sea. This population is steadily moving North, as sea temperatures increase (basically to follow its cold water loving feed - plankton) and is merging with the more abundant Northern cod populations.
Simply put, because the biomass (volume) of Southern cod is indeed low and under pressure, the overall Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is defined by the lower figure and a 44% reduction in catch has been agreed, which overall, will mean an approach which allows for Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
Now that reduction in catch amounts to approximately 10,000 tons less fish landed for 2026, which is highly significant. However, that still means 14,000 tonnes of cod can still be landed and enter the supply chain.
Today alone in Peterhead 140 boxes of cod were on the market from just two vessels catching mainly saithe (coalfish /coley). Although the skipper is actively trying not to catch cod, because the Northern North sea is what we call a mixed fishery, (multiple species) it’s not that easy to avoid
So DO continue to eat cod, because avoiding it completely is actually anti-sustainability, meaning that fishing communities and their businesses also have to be sustainable. Perhaps just eat it less often and look at alternatives such as haddock or hake for example, but don’t disregard it completely
Here in Suffolk, our inshore boats still occasionally get a run of Spring cod April/May time which although short lived and not a huge volume, is still an important bonus catch for them. To say don’t eat it without considering local or seasonal nuance is wrong.
