JUST 13% of wild fish populations in the UK are considered truly sustainable choices for consumers, according to the latest data.
The Good Fish Guide, which is compiled by the Marine Conservation Society (MSC), is updated twice yearly and aims to point people towards the most sustainable seafood options.
The MSC categorises a fishery as a species of wild fish caught in a particular way within a specific area.
However, of the 337 wild fisheries around the British Isles included on the list, just 13% were given a green rating and therefore considered good sustainable options.
A majority of fisheries (62%) were instead given amber ratings, which means that while they are acceptable choices improvements need to be made to ensure the population’s sustainability.
A total of 19 fisheries moved down the ratings, with 12 moving into the red.
Among them are North Sea northern prawns and sea bass from the west of Scotland.
The lack of management plan for sea bass in the area was highlighted as a concern alongside high-levels of bycatch.
For prawn, it noted that the population in the area was “depleted and fishing pressure is above sustainable limits”.
It comes after more than 130 organisations expressed concern that action on environmental problems in Scotland’s waters were being “erased or delayed” by the Scottish Government.
Phil Taylor, director of Open Seas - a coalition of community, fishing, recreational and environmental groups – told The National that urgent action needed to be taken.
He said: “The sad fact is our seas are not being well-managed.
“Until governments take action to protect inshore nursery and spawning grounds, better monitor catches and resolve the chronic bycatch problem in bottom-trawl fisheries, it's no surprise that much of our seafood is red-rated.
“The red-rating of northern prawns, for example, makes clear that we urgently need to reform how bottom-trawl fisheries are managed.
“This is a symptom of our government's failure to put in place sustainability measures for our seas and the future of the fishing industry.
“If we spent less public money subsidising damaging fishing methods and invested in low impact fishing instead, then we'd have healthier marine environment and a more sustainable seafood industry.
“As it stands, the Scottish Government is delaying marine protection and vital measures to protect inshore marine biodiversity."
The Scottish Government dropped plans to make 10% of Scotland’s waters Highly Protected Marine Areas by 2026 after fierce backlash from some fishing communities and a small rebellion within the SNP ranks.
