The Marine Conservation Society has downgraded some European hake and coley ratings in its Good Fish Guide. The charity uses the guide to assess fish stocks and the environmental impact associated with different sources of seafood.
Hake from the North Sea, Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay moved from green to amber because of declining stocks and fishing pressure. Coley from several waters around the UK moved to red, indicating the guide recommends avoiding those sources.
The changes do not apply equally to every fishery carrying the same species name. Some coley sources retain higher ratings, showing why location and fishing method matter alongside the label on a product. The report concerns changing sustainability assessments rather than a claim that the fish itself is unsafe to eat.
