Russia’s potential move to bar British vessels from fishing in the Barents Sea could affect the supply of fish used in classic British fish and chips, a concern raised by a major UK newspaper. The report notes that this could disrupt a staple dish beloved by many in Britain and beyond.
One of Britain’s enduring favorites sits in the balance as Moscow contemplates ending the agreement that currently allows British ships to fish in Russian Arctic waters. The change would reverberate through fishing fleets and local markets, where cod and haddock form the core of a widely enjoyed meal.
According to the publication, British commercial fleets harvest substantial quantities of haddock and cod within Russian territorial waters, a portion of which makes its way into domestic fish and chips. Last year’s figures indicate that hundreds of thousands of tons of cod were recorded in the Barents Sea, underscoring the scale of the operation and its importance to supply chains and prices downstream.
The move is framed as Russia’s response to the sanctions placed on London by Western governments. In political reporting, the decision is described as a hard line taken by Moscow, reflecting the broader strain in bilateral trade relations and the potential for further retaliation in various sectors of the economy.
Earlier in January, the Russian government advanced a bill that would terminate the 1956 Fisheries Agreement with the United Kingdom. This legislative step signals a significant diplomatic and economic shift, with long-term implications for how sea fisheries are managed and how fishing rights are allocated in Arctic waters.
The trade tensions intensified after Britain reduced its trade preferences with Russia in 2022 and implemented tariffs on several Russian goods, including iron, steel, fertilizer, wood, and white fish. The imposition of these duties reflects a broader strategy to pressure the Russian economy, with consequences that ripple through import costs, pricing, and market access for a range of products across sectors.