Stevenson Welcomes North Sea Cod Back to the Table

Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, has welcomed North Sea cod back onto the menu after it was taken off the Marine Conservation Society’s list of fish to avoid eating.

The MCS had previously advised that cod should not be eaten as stocks were only slightly above sustainable levels. However following a recovery in numbers, the charity has removed cod from its list of endangered fish, and says it can now be eaten as an occasional treat.

Mr Stevenson said:

“The return of cod to our dinner tables is excellent news and this move by the MCS is a great vote of confidence in North Sea cod.

“It reflects all the hard work from our fishermen to conserve the stock over many years, and demonstrates that Scottish Government initiatives are having a welcome impact. This has been a long journey since the peak numbers of cod in the 1970s and early 1980s and subsequent over fishing, but we are now benefitting from measures taken to reverse this with growing stock.”

It is also understood that the North Sea cod stock is going through an assessment to be certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.

About 50,000 tonnes of cod is thought to be eaten in UK fish and chip shops each year.