The Blue Marine Foundation will appeal a ruling by the UK's High Court that dismissed its challenge to the British government's fishing quota allocation system, which the conservation group claims has led to the collapse of fish populations and the decline of coastal communities.

The judicial review sought by the marine conservation charity contested quotas that consistently exceed scientific recommendations. The High Court dismissed the case on March 28, upholding the government's discretionary powers in setting fishing limits. 

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A spokesperson for the UK government's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said: "We welcome the judgement. Sustainability has always been at the heart of the UK’s approach to setting catch limits, and we have fully complied with our obligations under the Fisheries Act 2020 and the Joint Fisheries Statement."

"We are pleased the judge has dismissed this claim, and we will continue to support the UK fishing industry by delivering world-class, sustainable management of our sea fisheries."

But the Blue Marine Foundation disagreed.

"Is it right or legal that the entire adult spawning stock of a fish can be sacrificed, just so the fishing fleet can go on fishing for other species?" said Charles Clover, co-founder of Blue Marine. "This judgment has condoned irresponsibility."

According to the foundation, 54% of the UK's fishing quotas this year failed to meet the government's own sustainability metrics, including quotas for commercially important stocks such as mackerel.

Many of the vulnerable species are "choke species" -- fish stocks that can be unintentionally caught while targeting more abundant commercial species like cod, haddock, and mackerel. These bycatch scenarios can lead to localized depletion of certain species even as overall fishing volumes remain strong.

Industry data shows fish landings to UK ports have remained relatively stable in recent years and have actually increased. According to data from the Marine Management Organisation, the volume of fish landed at UK ports has grown from 378,000 metric tons in 2021 to 447,000t in 2024, representing an 18% increase over that period.

Tom Appleby, head of legal affairs at Blue Marine, called the ruling "a challenging day for the health of our seas and for jobs in what's left of the UK fishing industry."

Appleby said the UK has lost nearly 30% of fishing industry jobs since 2016, with the sector now employing approximately 6,500 full-time workers. This is partly because large, modern fishing vessels require fewer crew members.

Blue Marine contends the current quota system has already contributed to the collapse of specific stocks like cod, whiting and pollack, with particular impact on the inshore fishing fleet that has traditionally relied on these species.

The foundation argues that the judgment effectively prevents holding ministers accountable under the Fisheries Act 2020 and fails to require transparency in how fishing quota decisions are made.