• Waitrose will suspend all mackerel sales due to concerns about overfishing.

• The supermarket will stop sourcing fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel by 29 April 2026, and will end tinned mackerel sales once current stock is gone.

• Scientists say North East Atlantic mackerel populations have fallen into a “danger zone.”

• Marine groups recommend reducing mackerel catches to prevent population collapse.

• Waitrose says it is the first UK supermarket to suspend mackerel sales and will only resume when sourcing meets its standards.

• ICES states mackerel has been overfished in recent years due to a lack of international quota agreements, resulting in insufficient breeding to replace catches.

• Mackerel is the most caught fish in British waters; UK vessels landed over 230,000 tonnes in 2024.

• The UK, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland agreed in December to reduce mackerel catches by 48%, but Waitrose said this is still insufficient.

• From May 2026, North East Atlantic mackerel will no longer meet Waitrose’s responsible sourcing requirements.

• Waitrose will replace mackerel products with responsibly sourced, MSC‑certified alternatives.

• Conservation groups, including the Marine Conservation Society and the Blue Marine Foundation, have welcomed the move.

• Scottish fishing industry representatives have criticised the decision, saying it comes at a time when progress is being made in quota‑sharing talks.