Where Does England Get Its Fish From?

The United Kingdom's fish supply is largely sourced from the North Atlantic and, more specifically, the EU's northern outer waters. This area is home to an abundance of cod and haddock, which accounts for 26% of the fish found in French fries stores across the country. The fishing industry in England is made up of both fish processing companies and trawler fleets that fish in English waters. The majority of seafood imported to the UK from other EU countries comes from Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, and is mainly composed of salmon, tuna, and cod. Around 20% of imported seafood is salmon from Sweden.

Governments began to recognize that all maritime activities, including fishing, were essential for training sailors who would be needed for their armies during times of war. As a result, governments began to promote fishing not only because of its value as food and a trade item, but also because it was a breeding ground for sailors. Even Protestant England passed laws to encourage fish consumption by instituting fish days. The discovery of new fishing grounds as plentiful as those in Newfoundland would certainly attract the attention of all Western European countries. This would have an impact on both fish farms in the UK, which export most of their products, and the fish processing industry, which relies on imports.

The Marine Fish Industry Authority (SeaFish) is based in Grimsby and works to promote fish consumption and conduct research for the fishing and fish processing industries. Breton fishermen were visiting Newfoundland as early as 1504, while Norman fishermen discovered fishing grounds thanks to Thomas Aubert's reconnaissance trip in 1508. By 1600, ships were being used solely to transport fish loads that arrived in Newfoundland when the fishing season ended. If the UK were allowed to catch 20% of the fish that swim in British waters while the EU took the rest, there would be no fish left in the sea. The Grimsby National Fisheries Heritage Centre provides insight into what England's fishing industry was like. As British retailers expand their certified fish supply and make commitments to sustainable seafood, they may not be able to provide cod caught in Britain due to the unsustainability of fish stocks in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), warned Planet Tracker. If Nigel Farage's argument is that most of the fish stocks living in UK waters are fished by other member states, then he is correct; however, the figure is not 80%, but 70%. The EU countries that would be most affected by losing access to UK waters are Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands; their fishing fleets catch between 35-45% of their fish in British waters.

These countries dominate the UK's fish market so much so that supermarkets have launched campaigns to raise awareness about other types of fish that should be taken into account.