The nations love for Cod and Monkfish with their chips could disappear from the menu due to threat from climate change.
Researchers have analysed the effects of the south west of England’s fisheries stocks, and with the projected impacts of warning seas on commercially fished species, Cod and Monkfish could become extinct.
People will have to change their diets in order to protect threatened species which are at high risk of disappearing forever.
Over the past 40-years there has been further increases in sea temperatures in the Celtic Sea and the English Channel, which is threatening the abundance of Cod, according to a study.
The universities of Exeter and Bristol, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Met Office, all took part in the study with Dr Katerine Maltby as lead author and undertook the research while at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Science (Cefas).
Dr Maltby warned, “Our results show that climate change will continue to affect fish stocks within this sea region into the future, presenting both potential risks but some opportunities that fishers will likely have to adapt to.
“Consumers can help fishers take advantage of these fishing opportunities by seeking out other fish species to eat and enjoy.”
Co-author Louise Rutterford, from University of Exeter added, “We know from working with fishers that warmer water species are appearing in catches more.
“Bringing together their ‘on-the-ground’ experiences with studies like ours will help inform future management decisions that enable sustainable exploitation while supporting fishers’ adaptation.”