Lobsters and Crabs Added to the ‘Fish to Avoid’ List, Says New MCS UK Seafood Guide

Lobsters and crabs captured off the coast of Scotland, UK, have joined the 'fish to avoid' list by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). The rating was based on incidents of whales being entangled in fishing gear off the northern Great Britain waters.

Lobsters and Crabs

In the latest MCS Good Fish Guide, it can be seen that lobsters and crabs are only some of the variety of fish that have joined the list. This comes after an MCS assessment indicate migrating whales are frequently caught in ropes attached to crab and lobster pots west of Scotland.

This also comes as the crab and lobster populations were found to be suffering due to poor management.

According to the latest MCS UK seafood guide, nine types of Scottish brown crab and lobster have been re-classified. Eight of these species were placed under the fish to avoid list.

Fish to Avoid List

In addition to the crustacean finalists; monkfish, rays, and skates are among the 14 marine life species that were added to the fish to avoid list, also called the 'red list.' As per The Ecologist.

The other existing fish on the list include blue marlin, blue shark, angel shark, conger eel, European eel, nurse hound, and the Pacific blue tuna.

In particular, the monkfish in the North Sea and the western coast of Scotland have also joined the list due to their significant population decline since 2013. Skates and rays are also reportedly in decline globally.

Some of the main reasons for the decline are due to illegal fishing, overfishing, and destructive fishing, as per MCS.

Moreover, the declining population of some of the mentioned crustaceans and other fish also poses a potential food deprivation for their predators, including sharks and whales, that can disrupt the marine ecosystem and food chain.

Fixing UK Fisheries

The crustaceans and other fish added to the red list are just one of the many symbolic indications to revamp the current UK fisheries, warned by conservationists, as cited by The Ecologist.

According to Clara Johnston, the MCS fisheries policy manager, the new UK MCS Good Fish Guide contains amber or red color ratings which illustrate the urgent need for improved transparency and organization to recover fish stocks in the UK waters, as per The Guardian.

What is the MCS and Its Guide?

The MCS is a UK-based organization established in 1983. Its aim is to address the issue of overfishing and other malpractice in the fishing industry. Furthermore, it also ensures the protection of marine species and their habitats.

The organization's Good Fish Guide or seafood guide contains ratings on different fish. These ratings are based on the manner in which fish were captured, their current population, or their impact on the oceans.

With color indicators in place, a green rating means it is the best choice and encourages people to safely consume certain fish species; without worrying about any environmental repercussions or fish mortality-related consequences in the oceans.

Furthermore, the amber and red ratings mentioned before entail that buying or eating some fish under this category is at risk or must be avoided.