For more information about this rating please visit: http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/cuttlefish.php
How we worked out this Rating
Stock status
The size and health of a fish population, or 'stock', that is being targeted by fishermen is a crucial indicator of whether a fishery is sustainable. If the stock is too small to withstand fishing, it is at risk of crashing. We look at how big the stock is, and how much pressure there is from fishing, to assess this. The target level that many fisheries aim for is 'Maximum Sustainable Yield' - the most fish that can be caught year after year whilst keeping the population at a healthy size.
There is concern for the biomass of common cuttlefish, and for the fishing pressure on the stock within the English Channel and Celtic Seas region.The common cuttlefish fishery in the English Channel and wider Celtic Seas is of significant commercial importance. However, stock status remains uncertain due to limited data. In 2023, ICES conducted an assessment using data up to 2022, but it had notable limitations. Due to these uncertainties, Route 2 (data limited) scoring has been applied to this rating. The common cuttlefish is considered highly resilient to fishing pressure.From 2020 to 2022, most catches in the English Channel (ICES areas 27.7.d,e) and Celtic Seas region (ICES Area 27.7.a,b,c,f,g,h,j,k) were taken by France, followed by the UK. Landings in the English Channel peaked between 2003 and 2007 (~18,000 tonnes), while in the Celtic Seas, they peaked between 2009 and 2011 (~2,000 tonnes). Since then, both areas have shown a declining trend in landings, with some fluctuations.In 2022, the English Channel accounted for 64.8% of total catches (12,055 tonnes), up from 52.5-63.6% in 2019 to 2021. Mean catches between 2020-2022 in the English Channel (9,524 tonnes) were below both the mean of 2017-2019 (10,808 tonnes) and the historical mean (10,415 tonnes). A similar trend was observed in the Celtic Seas, with mean catches between 2020-2022 (374 tonnes) below both the mean of 2017-2019 (605 tonnes) and the historical mean (629 tonnes).There are concerns for common cuttlefish biomass. Biomass indices indicate a long-term decline since peak abundance between 1998 and 2007, which aligns with reduced landings. However, since biomass has been declining for longer than landings, evidence suggests that cuttlefish stocks are either fully or over exploited. Combined with limited research on stock status and exploitation rates, this raises concerns for current fishing pressure on the stock.
Management
Good management is vital to be sure that fishing doesn't cause fish populations to decline. We look at whether regulations follow the best available scientific advice, how well compliance is monitored and enforced, and whether this is effective in maintaining healthy fish stocks.
For more information about this rating please visit: https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/cuttlefish.php
Capture method
Environmental impacts of fishing vary hugely, depending on the method used and where it's happening. We look at whether the fishing gear being used could have an effect on seabed habitats, and if so, how severe might this be. We also review whether it catches any other species by accident (bycatch), and what effect this might have on those species - especially if they're Endangered, Threatened, or Protected.
For more information about this rating please visit: https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/cuttlefish.php
