UK | Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to suspend mackerel sourcing to make a stand against overfishing and support long-term health and sustainability of fish stocks.
In September 2025, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommended that North-east Atlantic mackerel catches should be cut by 70 percent to help rebuild the stock to a sustainable level.
In December, four of the Coastal States agreed to cut mackerel catches by 48 percent. While this is a step forward, it does not meet ICES advice.
From May 2026, North East Atlantic mackerel will no longer meet Waitrose’s responsible sourcing requirements in line with the Sustainable Seafood Coalition’s (SSC) codes of conduct. All Waitrose North East Atlantic mackerel is sourced from Scottish waters.
Sourcing of fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel will be suspended by the 29th of April 2026. The remaining tinned mackerel stock will be available until it sells out.
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.
“Our customers trust us to source responsibly, and we are closely monitoring the fishery. We look forward to bringing mackerel back to our shelves once it meets our high sourcing standards," said Jake Pickering, Head of Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries at Waitrose.
Waitrose will be launching a new range of smoked fish from April to offer customers tasty alternatives, including Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Peppered Herring, and, first to the supermarket, Hot Smoked Sweetcure Seabass.
The retailer will also introduce frozen sardines in May as a certified sustainable alternative to frozen mackerel, offering a similar rich flavour and nutritional benefits.
The selection features Waitrose Scottish Hot Smoked Herring, MSC certified, Waitrose Scottish Hot Smoked Peppered Herring, MSC certified, Waitrose Hot Smoked Sweetcure Seabass, supermarket first, ASC certified, Waitrose Hot Smoked Trout with Dill & Lemon, RSPCA assured and Waitrose Frozen Sardine Fillets, MSC certified.
“Whether it's sardines or herring from our new smoked fish range, we are bringing the same high quality and great taste our customers look for. These products offer a powerful nutritional profile and health benefits that mirror those of mackerel closely,” said Dr Joanne Lunn, Head of Health & Nutrition at Waitrose.
“They are natural sources of omega-3 which helps to maintain normal functioning of the heart, brain and vision, making it effortless to incorporate functional, nutrient-dense foods into your daily routine.”
Waitrose will maintain its long-standing relationship with its mackerel suppliers and continue to support the UK’s thriving coastal communities. Its new supply of herring, seabass, sardines and trout will continue to be sourced through current supplier partnerships.
At present, there is no predetermined time frame for when Waitrose will resume sourcing mackerel.
Leading the way in sustainable tinned seafood, Waitrose has also announced plans to become the first UK retailer to sell 100 percent MSC certified tinned sardines, across seven different products.
From February onwards, customers will begin to see the new blue MSC eco-label on all tins of sardines, signalling an ongoing effort to provide ever more sustainable, responsibly sourced seafood.
In addition, Waitrose will be the first UK retailer to have 100 percent of its sardines sourced from MSC-certified fisheries, both in canned formats and on the fish counters too.
“Responsible fishing is not a standalone issue for us - it sits within our wider Ethics and Sustainability commitments, including our net zero ambitions, zero deforestation goals, biodiversity protection and our work to set science-based targets for nature,” said Marija Rompani, Director of Ethics & Sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership.
“We believe sustainable food production must balance climate action, nature protection and responsible fish sourcing is fundamental to protecting our oceans. We will continue to work closely with suppliers and industry partners to support the recovery and responsible management of fish stocks.”
