Squid and chips? How UK’s warming waters could change which fish we eat
The rapid warming seas around England cause very visible changes in the species living in our waters, creating fishing difficulties and opportunities that may affect what we eat in the future.
British waters in the first seven months of the year in the understanding of a sea heat wave seeing record average temperatures Analysis of Met Office data Performed by BBC.
In May, an intensive heat wave raised the UK waters up to 4C, and the wider effects of the global climate crisis show that such warming will continue.
Experts told Independent Warming seas, jellyfish, spider crabs, sardine, anchovy, blue -fin tuna and an unexpected octopus influx, including the influx of British waters to bring plenty of new species.
Meanwhile, the number of brown crabs has fallen, and traditionally hunted species such as COD and Heding are inadequate as they move to the north more cool.
Mike Roach, Deputy General Manager of National Fishermen Organizations (NFFO) Independent Climate change means “Our seas are changing”.
“There is a kind of distribution shift, we see the increasing number of blue surface tuna and we see an octopus on the southern coast. These are all potentially linked to climate change and heating seas.
“It brings opportunities and challenges for our industry. Bluef’s tuna is an absolute opportunity. Good controlled and regulated, fishermen have participated in scientific data collection and management suggestions. Octopus also offers a great opportunity. Allows fishermen to compensate for some economic losses from brutal population.
So, is the UK’s national fish and chips food in danger because the warmer waters chases COD?
Professor John Pinnegar, the main advisor to the government at the Naval and Fresh Water Sciences Agency of the Naval and Fresh Water Sciences Agency, Independent: “Most people do not realize that almost all cods and azgites we eat in the UK are imported. This will continue since the 1930s. This will be the case. Most of the fish we have caught in the UK are exported to southern countries such as mackerel and Langustines.”
“For this reason, we import things we want from the north countries and export what we have captured to countries further in the south.”
However, the fall of cods around our shores means what British fishermen actually landed, although they can import them to import them to get familiar.
“Usually ink, octopus and squid – we see much more cephalopod than in the past.” He said. “So all over England, especially in the North Sea, fishing begins to target them more than before.
“Some of our traditional target species such as COD and Haddock have been restricted, so many fishermen are fishing for squid.”
Squids and chips do not have the same ring, but experts warn that the flavors in the UK are very limited to traditional fish species.
“The British people are attached to the top five (cod, mesgit, salmon, tuna and shrimp) and go down to more than 50 different species in the United Kingdom.” He said. “If we were eating some kind of captured in seasonal and UK waters, this would balance the changes of this regime.”
