Waitrose suspends mackerel sourcing over sustainability concerns

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Waitrose suspends mackerel sourcing in UK retail first - Waitrose

Source: Waitrose

Waitrose said it would maintain its long-term mackerel suppliers, although it has not set a date for when sourcing of the species will resume

Waitrose has become the first UK retailer to suspend mackerel sourcing following concerns over sustainability and ocean health.

The retailer said it would be suspending its sourcing of fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by 29 April, with tinned lines to follow once the current stock had been sold.

It comes following increased concerns around mackerel supply, particularly that which is sourced from the northeast Atlantic, where the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas recommended a 70% cut to quotas.

Coastal states (including the UK, Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands) only achieved an agreed cut of 48%. Fisheries minister Angela Eagle defended the quota at the time, saying it would balance the need to protect fish stocks with that of safeguarding jobs, particularly those in coastal communities.

However, according to Waitrose, this means northeast Atlantic mackerel will no longer meet its responsible sourcing requirements from May – set in line with the Sustainable Seafood Coalition’s codes of conduct.

“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,” said Jake Pickering, the retailer’s head of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries. “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.”

Waitrose said it would be offering a selection of responsibly sourced alternative choices across smoked products with similar health benefits to mackerel. From April, the supermarket will launch Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Peppered Herring and Hot Smoked Sweetcure Seabass, with sustainably certified frozen sardines to follow in May.

“These products offer a powerful nutritional profile and health benefits that mirror closely those of mackerel,” said Dr Joanne Lunn, head of health and 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 said it would maintain its long-term mackerel suppliers, although it has not set a date for when sourcing of the species will resume. It added that it will source herring, seabass, sardines and trout through existing partners.

The retailer also unveiled plans to become the first retailer in the UK to offer a fully MSC-certified tinned sardine range, as well as sourcing 100% of its sardines from MSC-certified fisheries on fish counters.

“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 and sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership. “We believe sustainable food production must balance climate action and nature protection, and responsible fish sourcing is fundamental to protecting our oceans.”

Rompani continued: “We will continue to work closely with suppliers and industry partners to support the recovery and responsible management of fish stocks.”