Waitrose announced it is suspending sourcing of mackerel from Scottish waters, making it the first UK supermarket to take this step. The suspension of fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel will be implemented by April 29, with tinned mackerel to follow once current stock sells out. The company has not confirmed when it will start sourcing mackerel again.
According to Waitrose, the suspension is due to concerns about overfishing and failures by governments to cut catches to sustainable levels. Jake Pickering, Head of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries at Waitrose, stated: "By suspending sourcing of mackerel at Waitrose we are reinforcing our ethical and sustainable business commitments, acting to tackle overfishing and protect the marine environment."
By suspending sourcing of mackerel at Waitrose we are reinforcing our ethical and sustainable business commitments, acting to tackle overfishing and protect the marine environment.
Waitrose says North-east Atlantic mackerel no longer meets its responsible sourcing requirements under Sustainable Seafood Coalition codes. The International Council for Exploration of the Sea (Ices) recommended a 70% reduction in mackerel catches in 2026 compared to 2025's recommended levels. This 2026 recommendation is equivalent to a 77% reduction on the 755,143 tonnes estimated to be caught in 2025.
In December, four coastal states agreed to cut mackerel catches by 48%, which Waitrose says is a step forward but does not meet Ices advice. The specific coastal states that agreed to this reduction have not been identified.
Overfishing is the harvesting of wildlife from the sea at rates too high for species to replace themselves.
Overfishing has depleted mackerel stocks in the north-east Atlantic, posing long-term risks unless catch limits are followed. National Geographic defines overfishing as "the harvesting of wildlife from the sea at rates too high for species to replace themselves." The educational organization adds: "Scientists have been sounding the alarm about this looming catastrophe for decades."
As alternatives, Waitrose is launching MSC-certified fish products including hot smoked herring, hot smoked peppered herring, and hot smoked sweetcure seabass. The company will introduce MSC-certified frozen sardines from May as a sustainable replacement for frozen mackerel, though the exact timeline for this introduction has not been specified. Waitrose also plans to become the first retailer to sell 100% MSC tinned sardines.
Scientists have been sounding the alarm about this looming catastrophe for decades.
Waitrose will maintain relationships with its mackerel suppliers and source new products through current partnerships. Conservationists welcomed Waitrose's move and urged other supermarkets to follow suit, though the specific conservationist groups that offered this welcome have not been named.
The company currently has mackerel stock that will continue to be sold until depleted, but the exact amount of remaining stock has not been disclosed.