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Fri, 27 Feb 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 Waitrose to suspend mackerel sales due to overfishing concerns

The supermarket chain says it will stop sourcing fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by 29 April.

* Waitrose is suspending sales of mackerel products due to concerns over overfishing.
* Sales will stop by 29 April for fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel, and when current tinned stocks run out.
* The supermarket claims it's the first in the UK to take this step, citing its own "high sourcing standards".
* The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) says mackerel has been overfished due to a lack of international quota agreements.
* Waitrose will only sell mackerel again when it meets its sustainability requirements, which it expects won't be until May 2026 at the earliest.
* To replace its mackerel products, Waitrose is introducing "responsibly sourced" alternatives certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
* Conservation and sustainability groups have welcomed the move, calling for other supermarkets to follow suit.