The UK is at serious risk of losing the wide-reaching benefits of its sustainable fisheries unless urgent action is taken to reverse current trends for the good of the economy, the environment, and society, a startling new report penned by some of Britain’s leading marine scientists and fisheries experts has warned.

Policymakers are being urged to take crucial steps to not only maintain marine biodiversity but support livelihoods and preserve the UK’s coastal heritage by moving for more sustainable fishing practices to secure a healthy future for both the people and places of Britain.

The report, Recognising and Protecting the National Benefit of Sustainable Fisheries in the UK – co-authored by the Marine Biological Association and 19 eminent marine scientists, experts, environmental groups, and policymakers – highlights the deepening decline of the UK’s fishing fleet – especially in small-scale coastal communities.

Published on April 10 in the international journal. Fish and Fisheries, the study emphasises the vital role that sustainable fisheries play in maintaining marine biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and preserving the UK’s coastal heritage. 

“This is about much more than fish – it’s about people, places, and policies,” said Dr Bryce Stewart, a marine ecologist and Marine Biological Association senior research fellow. 

“The loss of local fisheries means the erosion of coastal identities, jobs, food security, and marine stewardship. But this is reversible, and the Fisheries Act gives us the tools if we choose to use them.”

From food security and coastal employment to environmental stewardship and cultural heritage, the paper presents eight distinct national benefits provided by sustainable fisheries; all of which are now at severe risk of being lost for good. 

Long-term analysis of UK fisheries data conducted in the study has thrown up some alarming trends, including a steep decline in fishing vessels – particularly small boats under ten metres in length – and a growing imbalance that disproportionately affects rural and economically vulnerable coastal regions.

“The greying of the fleet is a serious warning sign,” said Dr Stewart. “We’re not just losing boats, we’re losing generational knowledge, resilience, and the very social fabric that connects many of our communities to the sea.”

As one of the UK’s oldest marine science institutions, the Marine Biological Association played a pivotal role in bringing the interdisciplinary research behind the report together. 

“This new analysis confirms that which fishermen known only too well, that the fishing fleet is in decline across the whole UK,” said the paper’s lead author, Dr Sarah Coulthard from Newcastle University. 

“However, it also highlights that the decline is being unevenly felt with regional and sector disparity. New conversations are required now to discuss retaining a diverse and resilient fishing fleet by securing inshore and small-scale fisheries and the wide distribution of benefits they deliver across our coastline.”

Hailing the opportunity of a significant turning point for the UK fisheries policy, the study has urged policymakers to adopt a more inclusive definition of sustainability – one that considers the people behind the practice, not just the fish stocks.

It argues that by protecting and promoting sustainable fishing practices across all scales – particularly in small, community-based operations – the UK can meet its commitments to biodiversity, levelling-up food security and rural resilience. 

Among the study’s policy recommendations are a suggested ‘reframing of sustainability’ to weigh environmental, economic, and social outcomes; empowering coastal communities through knowledge sharing with local fishers; recognising public goods derived from healthy fisheries; and improving data collection and visibility of small-scale fisheries to better inform national strategies.

The Marine Biological Association has suggested that now – with the UK’s departure from the EU offering ‘more autonomy over fisheries policy than ever before – this is the time to influence the change needed.

Sam Fanshawe from the Blue Marine Foundation, a co-author on the report, said: “If we want future generations to enjoy healthy seas, sustainable seafood, and thriving coastal towns we must take the decline in the under ten metre fishing fleet seriously.

“Policymakers have a real chance to steer fisheries policy and investment towards supporting local fishing communities and small-scale fishermen, who know firsthand the value of looking after inshore fishing grounds and stocks for their own livelihoods, as well as the health of our seas.”

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