British tragedy as cod ACCENTS could put fish and chip suppers under threat
FISH and chip suppers could be under threat because cod are struggling to understand each other, scientists have claimed.
Fish and chip suppers could be under threat because cod are struggling to understand each other
They said that cod have regional accents, with American fish sounding very different to their British cousins.
They suspect that Cornish cod speak a different lingo to Scouse or Geordie cod.
As fish stocks move north due to climate change warming up the seas, the rival tribes may not be able to speak to each other.
And this could stop male fish chatting up females and mating.
Recordings of American cod are very different to those from their European cousins
The Exeter University study will be presented today in Liverpool at Into the Blue, the science showcase run by the National Environment Research Council.
Prof Steve Simpson, Associate Professor in Marine Biology and Global Change, said cod may also find their “voices” being drowned out by noise pollution such as ships’ engines.
He said: “Cod produce a variety of sounds using their swim bladders, to establish territories, raise the alarm and attract mates.
As cod move north due to climate change the rival tribes may not be able to speak to each other
“We may find that the ‘gossip’ essential to their society is being drowned out. If we value our fish stocks – or our Friday night fish supper – we need to understand this.
“Recordings of American cod are very different to those from their European cousins, so there is a precedent.
“This species is highly vocal with traditional breeding grounds established over hundreds or even thousands of years, so the potential for regionalism is there.”
'Recordings of American cod are very different to those from their European cousins', says Simpson
Fisherman is SWARMED by a flood of fish
He warned that as sea temperatures rise, cold-loving fish species such as cod are migrating north.
Different regional populations coming into contact for the first time may not share the same vocal repertoire and could struggle to integrate, share territory and breed.
warned that as sea temperatures rise, cold-loving fish species such as cod are migrating north
Prof Simpson said fish on coral reefs are susceptible to noise pollution, and new research aims to see what is going on in the UK’s seas among fish such as cod and haddock, which also use vocalisations.
“Listening to fish is a really good way of surveying what is there, and what their behaviour is,” he said.