Waitrose Suspends Mackerel Sales Amid Overfishing Concerns

Waitrose has announced it will suspend the sale of fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel by April 29, 2026, becoming the first major UK supermarket to take such action due to concerns over overfishing. Tinned mackerel will remain available only until current stock is depleted. The decision aligns with recommendations from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which has called for a 70% reduction in mackerel catches in the north-east Atlantic to allow fish populations to recover.

The Telegraph - UKA better catch: Waitrose becomes first UK supermarket to suspend mackerel sourcing over sustainability concernsThe Guardian‘A decisive stand against overfishing’: Waitrose to suspend mackerel sourcing

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has warned that mackerel stocks are at a critical level, downgrading the species from a sustainability rating of three to four on its Good Fish Guide. The MCS and other organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), have expressed concerns that the current fishing practices are unsustainable, with catches exceeding recommended levels by an average of 39% since 2010. In December 2025, the UK, Norway, and the Faroe Islands agreed to cut mackerel catches by 48%, a decision criticized for falling short of ICES's recommendations.

The Guardian

Jake Pickering, Waitrose's head of agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries, emphasized that the supermarket's decision reinforces its commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability. He stated, “By suspending sourcing of mackerel at Waitrose, we are acting to tackle overfishing and protect the long-term health of our oceans.” Waitrose plans to promote alternative fish options, including smoked herring, smoked sea bass, and frozen sardines, which are expected to provide similar nutritional benefits to mackerel.

A better catch: Waitrose becomes first UK supermarket to suspend mackerel sourcing over sustainability concernsThe Telegraph - UK‘A decisive stand against overfishing’: Waitrose to suspend mackerel sourcingThe Guardian

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has acknowledged the need to balance the reduction of fishing pressure on mackerel stocks with the protection of jobs in fishing communities. A spokesperson stated, “Safeguarding the future of this crucial stock is a priority, which is why the UK is actively tackling overfishing.”

The GuardianThe Telegraph - UKA better catch: Waitrose becomes first UK supermarket to suspend mackerel sourcing over sustainability concerns‘A decisive stand against overfishing’: Waitrose to suspend mackerel sourcing

Despite the steps taken by Waitrose, critics argue that the 48% reduction in mackerel catches agreed upon by the Coastal States is insufficient. Oceana UK has called for more stringent measures, aligning with ICES's 70% recommendation, to ensure the sustainability of mackerel populations. The WWF has also urged all UK retailers to cease mackerel sourcing immediately.

The GuardianThe Telegraph - UKA better catch: Waitrose becomes first UK supermarket to suspend mackerel sourcing over sustainability concerns‘A decisive stand against overfishing’: Waitrose to suspend mackerel sourcing

Waitrose has indicated that it will consider reintroducing mackerel to its shelves once it can be sourced sustainably. In the meantime, the supermarket will continue to expand its range of responsibly sourced fish products, aiming to meet consumer demand while supporting sustainable fishing practices.

‘A decisive stand against overfishing’: Waitrose to suspend mackerel sourcing

• “To keep favourites like mackerel on the menu, we need support right across the supply chain with fishing kept within sustainable limits.” — Kerry Lyne, Marine Conservation Society

The Guardian

• “By suspending sourcing of mackerel at Waitrose, we are reinforcing our ethical and sustainable business commitments, acting to tackle overfishing and protect the long-term health of our oceans and this crucial fish,” — Jake Pickering, Waitrose

‘A decisive stand against overfishing’: Waitrose to suspend mackerel sourcing

• “The responsibility cannot lie entirely with retailers or shoppers. It is the government that sets catch limits, and the government that has failed, year after year, to devise a cogent strategy to end overfishing once and for all. Now, with staple fish like cod and mackerel on the brink of disaster, it must act immediately.” — Hugo Tagholm, Oceana UK

The Guardian