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Tom Levitt and Amanda Miller, MSN Environment

End of the line: the world's endangered fish

Cod, an endangered species. (Image © PA Photos )

Can you imagine a world without fish? Well soon you might have to. Marine scientists are predicting we could run out of many of the well-known species by as early as 2048.

According to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a charity promoting sustainable fishing, a quarter of the world's fish stocks are being exploited into extinction. A further half are at, or close to, their maximum capacity.

The tragic state of the world's fish stocks is examined further in a new documentary, 'The End of the Line'. The film shows how our love of seafood and sushi (particularly bluefin tuna and cod) is driving many fish species to extinction.

However, there are signs of hope. Major UK supermarkets like Waitrose and Marks & Spencer have recently promised to stop selling endangered species like bluefin tuna, switching instead to more sustainable yellowfin or skipjack species in their tuna products.

Below, we have profiled some of the world’s most endangered fish populations. Find out why species such as North Atlantic cod and Mako shark are close to extinction.

End of the line: the world's endangered fish (click to enlarge)
End of the line: the world's endangered fish (click to enlarge)
End of the line: the world's endangered fish (click to enlarge)
End of the line: the world's endangered fish (click to enlarge)
End of the line: the world's endangered fish (click to enlarge)
End of the line: the world's endangered fish (click to enlarge)
End of the line: the world's endangered fish (click to enlarge)
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