Fish supper at risk from warming North Sea waters

Fish and chips could become a thing of the past. Picture: Alan Murray

THE traditional chip-shop fish supper could be at risk from rising water temperatures in the North Sea, according to researchers.

Scientists at Exeter and Bristol universities predict a decline in the number of haddock, plaice and other North Sea fish populations over the coming years.

The cold water species are those used in classic British fish suppers, with researchers fearing they will struggle to repopulate at the same rate as consumer demand.

The rising temperature in the North Sea could make life difficult for such fish. As a result there could be a long term change in which fish are a staple part of the British diet.

Dr Steve Simpson said: “We will see a real changing of the guard in the next few decades. Our models predict cold water species will be squeezed out, with warmer water fish likely to take their place.

“For sustainable UK fisheries, we need to move on from haddock and chips and look to Southern Europe for our gastronomic inspiration.”

Postgraduate researcher Louise Rutterford added: “Our study suggests that we will see proportionally less of some of the species we eat most of as they struggle to cope with warming conditions in the North Sea.”

Such research has been downplayed by an award winning fish and chip shop in Shetland.

Carlyn Kearney of Frankie’s didn’t dismiss the possibility, but was content the shift wouldn’t come for some time yet.

She said: “If there is any change it is certainly a good way off. We speak every day to fishermen who bring stock into the shop and if anything they are seeing more haddock.

“It doesn’t appear to be an imminent threat but if there are signs of change we would have to adapt to that as a responsible business.”