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The Common Language Group

A group to bring together people who want to know more about the environmental, legal and production issues facing the UK seafood supply chain.



The Common Language Group (CLG) provides a safe meeting space to discuss the key issues facing a responsible seafood supply chain. The topics covered include fisheries management, legal fishing, fishing methods and seafood traceability along the supply chain. It also covers how seafood is bought and eaten in and out of the home. It is an opportunity to share new ideas or case studies from around the world. People take part to keep-up-to-date with the latest developments, to be part of a cross-industry discussion and listen to the issues raised by other parts of the industry. They can also raise their own issues, network with other people or make new contacts. 
 
The group is led by industry and we take responsibility for running the CLG. The Group has met since 2007. The CLG brings together people who represent the retail, processing, food service and restaurant industry. Other people who attend are not-for-profit voluntary groups, consumer groups, governments, scientists and producer organisations. 

CLG meetings

There are generally three meetings a year. We currently run a mix of in-person and short online CLG sessions. 

Next meetings

A new calendar of CLG events for 2026/2027 is being developed and more information will be shared soon.

To keep updated, subscribe to our newsletter:

Previous meetings

Joint CLG/ FMIG online session ‘Advancing Scientific Understanding of North East Atlantic Fish Stocks under Climate and Environmental Change’ (26 January 2026) 

  • Climate effects in ICES advice, Ewen Bell, Cefas 
  • Integrating environmental information into US Atlantic stock assessment and fisheries management, Conor McManus, NOAA 
  • Reflections on the science of stock assessments: is it fit for purpose? Carl O’Brien, ICES 

Joint CLG / FMIG online session ‘Fish Stock Status of North East Atlantic Fisheries’ (10 December 2025) 

  • The state of demersal stocks 2025, Ewen Bell, Cefas 
  • ICES catch advice for pelagic stocks 2025, Steve Mackinson, Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association 
  • A supply chain view of mackerel stock challenges and future sourcing implications, Aoife Martin, North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group 

Presentations from recent CLG online and in person meetings are available upon request by emailing issuesgroups@seafish.co.uk.

CLG newsletters

We send regular emails with a roundup of stories, research and projects in the seafood industry. Subscribe to receive our updates and meeting details. 

Terms of Reference and archive

We have archived presentations from past CLG online meetings. These are available by emailing IssuesGroups@seafish.co.uk.

The Terms of Reference for the CLG are available here. 

Contacts

For further information, please contact: IssuesGroups@seafish.co.uk.

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