Waitrose Decision “Extremely Disappointing”
The Scottish Pelagic Processors Association has criticised Waitrose for its decision to withdraw north‑east Atlantic mackerel from sale by the end of April 2026.
Robert Duthie, chair of the SPPA, said: “Mackerel is the UK’s most important fishery in terms of volume landed and value, and the Scottish mackerel fishery is particularly important to onshore employment in our coastal communities in the north‑east of Scotland and Shetland.”
Industry Says Work on Sustainability Is Being Ignored
Duthie said: “This decision by Waitrose to withdraw mackerel from its shelves is extremely disappointing and fails to recognise the significant work and leadership the UK Government has demonstrated in making genuine progress to resolve the complex issues among the coastal states staking a claim to the fishery.
“The Scottish pelagic industry remains at the forefront of leading a range of sustainability initiatives, including scientific data collection and mackerel tagging studies to further enhance our knowledge of what is a complex migratory stock.”
Fishery Already Under Strict Monitoring
He added: “The Scottish mackerel fishery is already highly regulated and strictly monitored by the Government who are leading from the front with the recent introduction of Remote Electronic Monitoring in Scottish waters – a first amongst the Coastal States.”
Government Reaffirms Long‑Term Commitment
Duthie continued: “The UK Government has made clear its commitment to respecting responsible scientific management options for the mackerel fishery and has restated its intention to adopt a long‑term management strategy as soon as feasibly possible to ensure a sustainable future for Scottish mackerel and for those who depend on the fishery for their livelihoods.”
Conservation Groups Support Waitrose Move
Waitrose’s decision follows its plan to suspend sales due to concerns over overfishing. The retailer says it will direct customers towards herring and other species while uncertainty persists.
The Marine Conservation Society has welcomed the move after previously downgrading mackerel amid fears stocks were being over‑exploited. Kerry Lyne of the MCS said: “To keep favourites like mackerel on the menu, we need support right across the supply chain with fishing kept within sustainable limits.”
