Sea Fishing News

Read all of the latest news about angling, commercial fishing, conservation and other issues relating to the marine environment from the UK and beyond.

June 2025 News

UK government proposes seabed trawling ban: The British government has proposed extending a ban on seabed trawling, which will potentially cover an additional 18,500 square miles (48,000 km sq.) of seabed. Currently, seabed trawling is still permitted in many zones designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), despite being one of the most destructive forms of commercial fishing. This has led to controversy, with critics dubbing MPAs ‘paper parks’ as highly destructive fishing practices are still allowed within them. Now MPs on the government’s Environmental Audit Committee have called for at least forty-one of the UK’s 181 MPAs to ban seabed trawling. Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, has backed the move, saying “without urgent action our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed.” The call to ban seabed trawling has been boosted by a new documentary featuring Sir David Attenborough. Entitled Ocean, the film shows, for the first time, detailed footage of a trawl in action and the damage this fishing method causes to the seabed and wider marine environment. However, the commercial fishing industry has predictably hit back at any proposed ban, with Mike Cohen, the chief executive of the UK’s National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, telling the BBC that “Trawling does not damage most of the seabed. Trawls penetrate the sediment very little, if at all … Sensitive seabed features present today have survived more than a century of fishing, suggesting either that trawling does not happen in those places or that they are not sensitive to it.” A twelve-week consultation will now be conducted to seek the views of the commercial fishing industry and other relevant groups before the terms of the proposed ban are finalized. Read more on the BBC News website by clicking here.

Jersey authorities aim to open tuna charter fishery: Jersey’s Environment Minister has announced that charter fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna could be permitted in the island’s waters this year, pending an international agreement. Deputy Steve Luce updated the States Assembly – Jersey’s elected parliament – on the efforts to extend the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to Jersey. The extension would allow local vessels to fish for the species under strict sustainability guidelines. The UK became a contracting party to ICCAT during Brexit negotiations. However, as a Crown Dependency, Jersey is not recognised as an independent state by the United Nations and cannot join the convention directly. Deputy Luce explained that with Jersey’s consent, the UK can extend the agreement to cover the island. Atlantic bluefin tuna have been regularly sighted in large shoals in Jersey’s waters since 2016. Despite this, the species is currently protected under the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021, which prohibits targeting or landing tuna. If the convention is extended, the fishery would be opened and managed by Marine Resources. The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has authorised charter fishing in Jersey waters from 2025, contingent on the extension. A formal request is expected to be submitted to the UK by early June. Read more by clicking here.

Turbot removed from menus due to cost rises: Turbot is rapidly disappearing from the menus of UK restaurants as rising costs force chefs to reconsider their seafood selections. Turbot, sometimes referred to as the ‘King of Fish’ due to its high reputation in culinary circles, is becoming a rarity on menus amid sharp increases in wages, energy, and shipping expenses. Adrian Nunn, director at seafood supplier The Upper Scale, said demand from high-paying European buyers, particularly in Spain and France, is also driving prices beyond reach for many British establishments. “I don’t think I’ve got one restaurant using turbot now – they used to, but they’ve stopped. They can’t afford to” he told The Telegraph. With margins under pressure, many restaurants are switching to more affordable alternatives like Dover sole. But it is not just turbot that is increasing in price. Other luxury seafood, such as langoustines, lobster, and even staples like sardines and mackerel, have seen significant price hikes. “You’ll only really find things like lobster and caviar in Mayfair now” Nunn added. Click here to read more.

Giant oarfish wash up on Australian and New Zealand beaches: Three deep-sea oarfish, a species sometimes dubbed the “doomsday fish”, have washed up on the shores of Australia and New Zealand this month, prompting speculation. The giant oarfish is nicknamed the doomsday fish as it has long been associated with washing up dead on beaches before earthquakes happen. However, scientists are urging calm, stressing there is no credible evidence linking oarfish sightings to natural disasters. The latest finds include two headless specimens discovered on New Zealand’s South Island—one near Dunedin and another near Birdlings Flat, close to Christchurch. Earlier in the month, another oarfish was found near Aramoana, a small coastal settlement north of Dunedin. A fourth was then found off Tasmania’s west coast. Giant oarfish are rarely seen due to their deep-sea habitat and are considered the longest bony fish in the world. They can grow up to 11 metres (36 ft) in length and typically dwell in ocean depths of around 1,000 metres. “These fish live in the open ocean at significant depths, and people just don’t encounter them,” said Professor Nick Ling, a fish ecologist at the University of Waikato. “Because of that, they’re almost impossible to study.” Read more here.

BBC warns of summer weever fish on UK beaches: Beachgoers are being warned to stay vigilant this summer as venomous weever fish return to coastal waters. Councils are installing warning signs at popular resorts, advising visitors to avoid walking barefoot on sand during the warmer months when the fish are most active. Weever fish spend most of the time semi-buried in the sand, and are notorious for their painful sting delivered by venomous spines on their dorsal fins. First aid responders report regular cases of injuries, particularly among children. Rosie Bullard, who runs a first aid station in Hornsea, treats up to two cases per week. “The best treatment is to soak the affected area in the hottest water you can tolerate,” she said. “It helps break down the venom’s protein.” To reduce the risk, officials recommend wearing footwear such as flip flops when paddling or walking on the beach. In the event of a sting, the NHS advises rinsing the area with salt water and removing any spines using tweezers, and then soaking in hot water for at least thirty minutes. Click here to read more on this story.

Rising sea acidity threatens entire marine ecosystems: The health of the world’s oceans has deteriorated more than previously believed, according to new research released this month. Often dubbed the ‘evil twin’ of the climate crisis, ocean acidification occurs when oceans absorb excess atmospheric carbon. This lowers seawater pH and severely impacts marine life, including coral reefs and sea creatures that form shells. A joint study by the UK’s Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Oregon State University reveals that the acidification boundary was crossed around 2020. Drawing on 150 years of chemical data and modelling, researchers found that at depths of 200 metres, 60 per cent of global ocean waters had exceeded safe acidification limits. “This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a direct threat to marine biodiversity and coastal economies,” said Professor Steve Widdicombe of Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The research highlights alarming impacts on ecosystems like deep-sea coral reefs, which serve as critical habitats. Scientists urge immediate global carbon emission cuts and local conservation efforts. Jessie Turner of the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification added: “We’re running out of time. This crisis demands urgent global policy action.” Read more by clicking here.

Warmer waters to bring new species to UK waters: Climate change is prompting shifts in marine habitats, potentially leading to a resurgence of endangered species like sharks, rays, and native oysters in UK waters, scientists say. However, some marine animals may struggle to cope with these environmental changes. Researchers from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) have, for the first time, charted how nineteen at-risk marine species might respond to climate change around the UK. Their models suggest that, over the next fifty years, parts of the North Sea could become biodiversity hotspots. Still, climate disruption may also trigger ecological imbalances. A heatwave in May raised sea temperatures by up to 4°C above normal. With UK seas warming faster than most global regions, scientists emphasise that changing marine conditions could significantly affect fisheries and coastal livelihoods. Marine scientist Dr Bryony Townhill highlighted the importance of adapting Marine Protected Areas to keep pace with shifting habitats. Although some species may find new regions to thrive in, they remain vulnerable to threats like pollution and overfishing. Mobile species such as basking sharks, spurdog sharks, and thornback rays are likely to fare better, while stationary organisms like shellfish may lose vital habitat. Read more by clicking here.

Baltic cod smaller due to overfishing: Baltic cod are shrinking in size, and scientists say decades of overfishing are to blame, not just for their declining numbers, but for changes in their genetic makeup. A new study published in Science Advances suggests that Baltic cod – a close relative of the Atlantic cod, which are found in UK waters – have begun to evolve in response to fishing pressure, with smaller cod more likely to survive by avoiding capture in nets designed to catch larger individuals. This human-driven selection appears to be altering the species at a genetic level. “When the biggest fish are repeatedly removed from the population, smaller ones that mature faster gain a reproductive edge,” explained Professor Thorsten Reusch, senior author of the study and head of marine ecology research at the Geomar Helmholtz Centre in Germany. “We’re witnessing evolution in real time, and it’s driven by human activity. It’s scientifically remarkable, but from an ecological standpoint, it’s deeply troubling.” The researchers analyzed the otoliths – calcified structures in the ear that record growth like tree rings – of 152 cod caught between 1996 and 2019 in the Bornholm Basin in the Baltic Sea between Denmark and Poland. Their findings showed a significant loss of genes associated with rapid growth, and a marked shift toward smaller, slower-growing individuals. The average size of cod has dropped from around 40cm (16 ins) to just 20cm (8ins) over the past few decades. Lead author Dr Kwi Young Han described the study as the first to show genetic adaptation to intense fishing pressure in a fully marine species. Despite a 2019 EU ban on catching eastern Baltic cod, scientists warn the population may never fully recover. Read more here.

Rediscovered price board shows past price of fish and chips as 20p: A price board showing the cost of fish and chips several decades ago has been found by Andrew Lewis, the current owner of Evans Plaice, a long-standing family-run fish and chip shop in Rhayader, Powys. The board shows that a portion of cod and “chipped potatoes” cost just 20p, compared to today’s £10 average. The board, believed to date back to around 1971 – the year decimal currency was introduced in the UK – has now been put on display in the shop. “People love seeing it. It really feels like a relic from another time,” said Lewis. “Though quite a few cheekily ask if they can still get their chips at the old prices.” Evans Plaice was originally opened in 1950 by Lewis’s grandparents, Edgar and Megan Evans. It passed through the hands of relatives before Lewis took over in 2001. Today, however, rising food and energy costs have driven prices sharply upward. Fish and chips have seen the steepest hike of any major UK takeaway food, climbing over 50 per cent in the five years to July 2024, according to ONS data. Lewis told the BBC, “We hate raising prices—but many of the costs are simply beyond our control.” Click here to read more.

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