Fish Ratings – London – May 19 2025: Fish Ratings is ‘Cautiously Uncertain’ (Outlook: Evolving) on the English Channel sector following reports of a breakthrough in reset talks between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
The fisheries agreement is expected to have a significant impact on fish in the Channel, in one direction or the other, depending on the final terms of the deal and their consequences for the fishing industry, or little to no impact if the outcome of the talks turns out to have only minor implications.
Our current expectation is that a definitive outcome will emerge at some point in the future, although there is a risk that the uncertainty could continue indefinitely.
“One mustn’t confuse visibility with certainty,” said Michel Barnacle, Senior Analyst, English Channel Sector, at Fish Ratings. “The water is clear—but we still don’t know what we’re looking at.”
Those species most at risk include Common Sole (‘A’, Stable), Cod and Chips (‘BBB+’, Negative), European Plaice (‘A-‘, Pending), Jackson Pollack (‘Number 14’, 1951, Tate Modern, not currently on display), and Jacob Bluestreak Wrasse-Mogg (‘B-‘, Unstable).
Fish Ratings’ analysis takes into account new provisions relating to youth mobility, which may affect the composition and cohesion of schools of fish in the Channel and other coastal waters around the British Isles.
The general synopsis at 0600: Low Biscay 1011 expected south of France with little change by 0600 tomorrow. High west Iceland 1035 expected northwest Iceland 1032 by same time. Thames, Dover, Wight. Northeast 3 to 5, occasionally 6 at first. Light occasionally moderate. Fair. Good.
At this stage, no ratings changes will be made. Further clarity is anticipated, or not, depending on tidal conditions.
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