How Climate Change Is Threatening British Fish and Chips

The discovery of increased numbers of squid
 in the North Sea could affect the British fish
 and chip industry.

Traditional British fish and chips could soon be off the menu in the U.K., as new research suggests squid, sardines and anchovies have flocked to the warmer waters around the British isles and are poised to replace cod as the classic meal’s seafood of choice.

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), which monitors wildlife in Britain’s North Sea, has found that there has been an increase in warm water species in the area compared to previous years, replacing cold water fish such as cod. Dr John Pinnegar, who led the research and will be presenting his findings at the British Ecological Society’s Annual Meeting this week, said “Our models for 2025 and beyond suggest that seawater temperature may continue to rise in the future. As a result, U.K. waters will become more hospitable for some species and less suitable for others, with the overall result that most commercial species will move northwards.”

Read the Time story - “How Climate Change Is Threatening British Fish and Chips.”