Scientists have been coming together over the past few months to recommend new limits to fish catches in order to safeguard marine life for years to come.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) have issued scientific findings to the UK and European Union calling for significantly reduced catches of both North Sea cod and Northeast Atlantic mackerel amongst others.

Here in Sussex, mackerel and cod are part of our local fishing culture too.  Biosphere Partners Sussex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (Sussex IFCA) are supporting the future of all of our local fish species by giving them updated protection as part of the Minimum Size Byelaw 2021, helping more immature fish reach maturity and contribute to future spawning stock and juvenile recruitment.

Sussex IFCA manage our inshore sea fisheries resources and marine environment and have shared this advice highlighting how sustainability is not just about whether we eat fish, but which fish we choose, where it comes from, and how it was caught:

• Fish landed by the small-scale Sussex inshore fleet will be taken from well regulated, sustainable inshore fisheries, typically using lower impact fishing gears such as static-gear (pots and nets) or rod and line.
• Finfish and shellfish species availability will vary according to seasonal abundance.
• Speak to your local fish supplier who sells from the Sussex inshore fleet, or direct from the fishers themselves. They will be able to advise which species are caught locally, and the method of capture.
• Local species taken by our small-scale fishers include bass, black bream, sole, plaice, skates & rays, herring, squid, cuttlefish, brown crab and lobster

So what does that look like when you are shopping?

In supermarkets, look beyond the word mackerel or cod on the label. Check where the fish was caught, how it was caught, and whether the sourcing information is clear enough to help you make an informed choice. Think about alternatives – the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide is a great starting point for information. One of the UK’s major supermarkets has already taken mackerel off their shelves in response to the scientific advice.

At the fishmonger, ask simple questions:

– Where was this fish caught?
– How was it caught?
– Is it from a small-scale Sussex boat?
– What lower-impact local fish would you recommend today?

Choosing seafood sustainably is about protecting species like mackerel and cod, supporting healthy seas, and backing the fishers and businesses helping to build a stronger local coastal food culture.

For ideas of where to source local Sussex produce, have a look at the Sussex Six campaign.