fish and chips

Now this really does represent the end of an era!!!

Sad news for anyone fond of fish and chips: the traditional British meal is on the way out, thanks to warming sea temperatures.

Our current favourite haddock may be replaced by red mullet and John Dory as the North Sea rapidly warms, researchers at the University of Exeter claimed yesterday.

The research, published in the Nature Climate Change journal, shows that the North Sea has already warmed four times faster than the global average over the past 40 years – and higher temperatures are predicted.

Stock of other popular varieties, such as plaice or lemon sole, may also deplete as newer breeds come to replace them.

“Our models predict cold water species will be squeezed out, with warmer water fish likely to take their place,” co-author Dr Steve Simpson said.