UK supermarket chain Waitrose will stop selling North-East Atlantic mackerel after raising concerns about overfishing and the long-term health of the stock.

The retailer said it will stop sourcing fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel by 29 April 2026, while tinned products will be discontinued once current stocks are sold. The company said the species will only return to shelves if it meets its “high sourcing standards”.

The decision has triggered a strong reaction from Scotland’s pelagic fishing and processing sector, which says the move ignores progress being made to manage the fishery.

Retailer cites stock concerns and lack of quota deal

Waitrose said the suspension is linked to concerns about the management of the North-East Atlantic mackerel stock.

Scientists have warned that the population has fallen into what they describe as a “danger zone”. The problem is partly linked to the lack of a full quota-sharing agreement between coastal states fishing the stock.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has warned that catches in recent years have exceeded sustainable levels. This means the breeding rate is not high enough to replace the volume of fish being taken.

Waitrose sources its mackerel from Scottish waters. The retailer said the fish will no longer meet its responsible sourcing requirements starting in May 2026.

Jake Pickering, head of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries at Waitrose, said suspending sourcing was intended to “tackle overfishing and protect the long-term health of our oceans and this crucial fish”.

The chain said it will replace mackerel products with other seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

One of the UK’s largest fisheries

Mackerel is the most important fish species landed by UK vessels.

In 2024, British boats landed more than 230,000 tonnes, making it the largest fishery by volume.

Most of the catch is taken by the pelagic fleet based in Scotland. The fishery also supports large processing operations and coastal employment.

In December, the UK, Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland agreed to cut mackerel catches by 48% as part of efforts to reduce fishing pressure. However, Waitrose said the reduction does not go far enough.

Conservation groups welcomed the retailer’s move and called on other supermarkets to follow.

The Marine Conservation Society described the decision as “leading and decisive”. It said the entire seafood supply chain must support sustainable fishing if mackerel is to remain on menus.

Scottish pelagic industry pushes back

The Scottish pelagic industry has criticised the decision.

The Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group said fishermen and processors were “extremely disappointed” by the retailer’s move.

Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said the UK has been working to secure an international quota agreement.

“The UK has led the way in trying to get a workable sharing arrangement in place to secure sustainable fishing for north-east Atlantic mackerel, and we are perplexed why we should be punished for these efforts,” he said.

Industry representatives also pointed to a new four-party agreement for 2026 between the UK, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland, which will reduce fishing pressure by a further 9% of the global total allowable catch.

They say negotiations continue to bring the European Union and Greenland into a broader management deal.

Processors warn of economic impact

Processors have also warned that the decision could have consequences for coastal communities.

Robert Duthie, chair of the Scottish Pelagic Processors Association, said mackerel is the UK’s most important fishery both in volume and value.

He said the sector plays a key role in employment across north-east Scotland and Shetland.

Duthie said the industry already operates under strict regulation and monitoring. This includes the introduction of remote electronic monitoring in Scottish waters.

He added that the sector is involved in several scientific programmes, including data collection and tagging studies, aimed at improving knowledge of the migratory stock.

The industry argues these efforts demonstrate its commitment to a long-term sustainable future for the fishery.

Multiple sources were used for this article