2024 Good Fish Guide Rating Updates

Marine Conservation Society

UK-based Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide uses scientific information from reputable and peer-reviewed sources to generate ratings for over 140 different species. Wild capture ratings are reviewed annually and farmed ratings are reviewed every three years, and updated ratings are released on a biannual basis. Rating updates from 2023 can be found here.

 


 

Summer

 

Species Name Origin Method Old GFG Rating New GFG Rating
Albacore Tuna          Atlantic Ocean - North    Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pole & Line GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Troll GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Pelagic Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Atlantic Ocean - North (MSC)  Pole & Line GFG - 1 GFG - 1
Troll GFG - 1 GFG - 1
Pacific Ocean - North   Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pole & Line GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Troll GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Pacific Ocean - North (MSC) Pole & Line GFG - 1 GFG - 1
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna    United Kingdom - Cornwall    Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Purse Seine GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Handline GFG - NA GFG - 3
Atlantic Cod        Greenland - West (North) Fish Trap UNDER REVIEW GFG - 5
Greenland - West (South) Fish Trap GFG - NA GFG - 4
North Sea, Eastern Channel, Skagerrak (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
North Sea, Eastern Channel, Skagerrak Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - NA
West of Scotland Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Atlantic Ocean - Northern Shelf (Northwestern substock) Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Atlantic Ocean - Northern Shelf (Southern substock) Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Atlantic Ocean - Northern Shelf (Viking substock) Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Ballan Wrasse United Kingdom - Cornwall Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Blonde Ray   North Sea (Central and South), Eastern Channel Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 3
North Sea (North) and West of Scotland  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Blue Shark   Atlantic Ocean - North Longine GFG - 5 GFG - NA
United Kingdom - Cornwall  Longline GFG - 5 UNDER REVIEW
Pole & Line GFG - 5 UNDER REVIEW
Blue Skate   North Sea and Skagerrak, Celtic Sea and West of Scotland   Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Brown Crab  Isle of Man Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Northern Ireland Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Common Periwinkle    United Kingdom - England (Northumberland IFCA District Hand-gathering (Shore) GFG - NA GFG - 4
Atlantic Ocean - Northeast Mechanical Harvesting UNDER REVEW GFG - NA
United Kingdom - Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, North and West Wales, Isles of Scilly, Southeast and Eastern England (excluding Northumberland) Hand-gathering (Shore) UNDER REVIEW GFG - 5
United Kingdom - Jersey, South Wales, Cornwall, Devon & Severn, Southern and North Western IFCA Districts (excluding Northumberland) Hand-gathering (Shore) GFG - NA GFG - 5
Crawfish   United Kingdom - Cornwall   Diving GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Cuckoo Ray North Sea & Skagerrak and Kattegat Otter Trawl GFG - 5 UNDER REVIEW
Dab  United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
European Lobster  Isle of Man Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Northern Ireland Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Flapper Skate   North Sea and Skagerrak, Celtic Sea and West of Scotland   Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gilthead Bream  United Kingdom - Cornwall  Handline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Grey Mullet North Sea, English Channel Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Grouper    Worldwide    Handline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Harpoon GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Haddock      Celtic Seas (Southern), English Channel (West)  Beam Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
United Kingdom - Rockall (MSC) Otter Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - NA
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Horse Mackerel   Norwegian Sea, North Sea (North), Celtic Seas, Cantabrian Sea, English Channel (South), Bay of Biscay  Pelagic Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Skagerrak and Kattegat, North Sea (Central and South), English Channel (East) Pelagic Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
King Scallop                  Irish Sea (FIP) Dredge GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5
Northern Ireland (FIP) Dredge GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 4
Scotland (East Coast 0-3nm) (FIP) Dredge GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5
Scotland (East Coast 3-12nm) (FIP) Dredge GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Scotland (Northeast & Orkney) Diving GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Scotland (Northeast & Orkney 0-3nm) (FIP) Dredge GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5
Scotland (Northeast & Orkney 3-12nm) (FIP) Dredge GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Scotland (Shetland 0-6nm) (MSC) Dredge GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Scotland (Shetland 6-12nm) Dredge GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Scotland (West Coast) Diving GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Scotland (West Coast 0-3nm) (FIP) Dredge GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5
Scotland (West Coast 3-12nm) (FIP) Dredge GFG - 4 GFG - 4
United Kingdom - Wales (FIP) Dredge GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 4
United Kingdom - England (Bristol Channel - Inshore) Dredge GFG - 4 GFG - 4
United Kingdom (Cornwall IFCA District) (FIP) Dredge GFG - 4 GFG - 4
United Kingdom (Cornwall IFCA District) Diving GFG - 3 GFG - 3
United Kingdom - Cornwall (FIP) Dredge GFG - 4 GFG - 4
United Kingdom - Cornwall Dredge GFG - NA GFG - 4
Lesser Spotted Dogfish       North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, Eastern Channel  Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 5
West of Scotland, Irish Sea, Celtic Sea (South)  Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Longnosed Skate   Atlantic Ocean - Northeast   Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Megrim United Kingdom - Rockall Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Nursehound      English Channel and Celtic Seas   Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 4
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 4
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - NA GFG - 4
Pouting    Celtic Seas and English Channel Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Razor Clam United Kingdom - Scotland Electrical Fishing UNDER REVIEW GFG - 5
Red Gurnard    Atlantic Ocean - Northeast Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Red Mullet    West of Scotland, Bay of Biscay, Celtic Sea (South), Atlantic Iberian Waters Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 3 GFG - 5
Sardine      Bay of Biscay  Pelagic Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Cantabrian Sea and Atlantic Iberian Waters Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Celtic Sea (South) and English Channel  Pelagic Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Purse Seine GFG - 3 GFG - 3
United Kingdom - Cornwall (MSC) Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Scampi/Langoustine                        Aran, Galway Bay and Slyne Head (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 5
Botney Cut to Silver Pit (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Celtic Sea (The Smalls) (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 4
Devil's Hole (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 4
Farn Deeps (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Firth of Clyde and Sound of Jura (FIP)  Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Firth of Forth (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Fladen Ground (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Horn's Reef Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Ireland (Southwest) and Southeast Coast (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Irish Sea - East (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 4
Irish Sea - West (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Labadie, Jones and Cockburn (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Moray Firth (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
North Minch (FIP)  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Norwegian Deep  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 4
Noup (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Porcupine Bank (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Skagerrak and Kattegat  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 2 GFG - 2
South Minch (FIP)  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Skipjack Tuna       Indian Ocean    Pole & Line GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Indian Ocean (MSC)   Pole & Line GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - NA GFG - 2
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - NA GFG - 2
Southern Bluefin Tuna    Southern Ocean    Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Longline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pole & Line GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Spotted Ray   North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Eastern Channel  Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
West of Scotland and Southwest Ireland Otter Trawl UNDER REVIEW GFG - 4
Spurdog      USA - Atlantic    Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Longline GFG - 2 GFG - 1
Gillnet GFG - 3 GFG - 3
USA - Atlantic (MSC)   Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Longline GFG - 2 GFG - 1
Gillnet GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Starry Ray  Norwegian Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and North Sea  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Starry Smoothhound   United Kingdom  Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 4
United Kingdom - Cornwall Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Swordfish   Indian Ocean Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pacific Ocean - North Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pacific Ocean - Northeast Longline GFG - 4 GFG - NA
Thornback Ray    North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Eastern Channel   Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 3
West of Scotland Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Undulate Ray      English Channel   Beam Trawl UNDER REVIEW GFG - 3
Otter Trawl UNDER REVIEW GFG - 2
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 2
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 2
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 3
White Skate   Atlantic Ocean - Northeast   Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Whiting    Celtic Sea (South) and English Channel (West)  Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Demersal Seine GFG - 5 GFG - 5
United Kingdom - Cornwall  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Wolffish   Iceland (MSC)   Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - NA
Longline GFG - 3 GFG - NA
Demersal Seine GFG - 3 GFG - NA
Wreckfish United Kingdom - Cornwall Handline GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Yellowfin Tuna          Pacific Ocean - West Central     Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pole & Line GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pacific Ocean - West Central (MSC)     Longline GFG - 2 GFG - 2

Pole & Line

GFG - 1 GFG - 1

Handline

GFG - 1 GFG - 1

Purse Seine (Floating Object)

GFG - 2 GFG - 2

Purse Seine (Unassociated)

GFG - 2 GFG - 2