Britain's fish and chip favourites are under threat as hake and coley join cod on the danger list

The Marine Conservation Society has downgraded European hake from green to amber in its Good Fish Guide, warning shoppers the fish caught in the North Sea, Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay is no longer a safe choice. Coley has fared even worse, falling from amber to red — meaning consumers should avoid it entirely. The downgrades cover 29 UK sea fishing zones and come after cod was already effectively written off as a sustainable option. Good Fish Guide manager Kerry Lyne warned that simply choosing a species is no longer enough for responsible seafood shoppers.

Coley in UK waters has received the worst possible red rating, reflecting collapsing stocks and a total lack of any recovery plan.

Haddock caught off Iceland has also slipped from green to amber after fishing pressure exceeded sustainable limits and catches surpassed scientific advice.

Lyne said shoppers must 'diversify our seafood choices and avoid those most under threat' — with North Sea haddock and Icelandic coley among the few remaining green-rated options.