No Fish. No Future.
We need to act urgently #WhileStocksLast. Tell the Government you support fishing in line with scientific advice here.
The science is clear, and the public agrees: catch limits should not exceed scientific advice.
Yet in 2026, 58% of UK fishing quotas were set above scientific recommendations, continuing a pattern of political decisions that are driving fish populations into decline. The result is fewer fish in our seas, greater uncertainty for fishing communities and a shrinking public resource.
Blue Marine’s analysis of 55 fish stocks found that 62% have declined since 2016, while the total abundance of fish across those stocks has fallen by around 41%. Some populations are now in crisis. Celtic Sea cod has collapsed by 98%, while Irish Sea plaice has declined by 88%.
The public wants better. 71% of UK adults support a legal requirement preventing catch limits from exceeding scientific advice, with strong support from voters across all major political parties.
Overfishing doesn’t just happen on paper. Millions of fish are also discarded at sea, creating hidden fishing pressure that official landings fail to capture and pushing already depleted stocks closer to collapse.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Evidence from sustainably managed fisheries shows that when science is followed, fish populations recover, catches become more stable and coastal economies benefit.
We’re calling on the UK Government to end overfishing and set fishing catch limits within scientific advice, introduce effective monitoring and deliver recovery plans for depleted stocks. The choice is not between fish and fishing. More fish in the sea means a stronger future for fishing communities, healthier seas and greater food security for everyone.
Read Blue Marine’s supporting report ‘Apocalypse Now: The True Cost Of Overfishing’
