All fresh, chilled, and frozen mackerel will no longer be available at Waitrose locations, with tinned varieties set to follow once current stock runs out. The suspension aligns with the Sustainable Seafood Coalition’s codes of conduct and underscores a growing commitment to sustainable fishing practices.

Jake Pickering from Waitrose stated, “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.” This move comes after governments failed to adhere to scientists’ recommendations for reducing mackerel catches by 48%.

Marija Rompani, another spokesperson for Waitrose, emphasized that responsible fish sourcing is fundamental. “We believe sustainable food production must balance climate action, nature protection and responsible fish sourcing is fundamental to protecting our oceans,” she said.

Conservationists have welcomed Waitrose’s decision. Charles Clover remarked, “This crisis has been ignored for too long. We hope that this action by Waitrose sends it to the top of the political agenda.” The fishing industry faces increasing scrutiny as consumers demand more sustainable seafood options.

While Waitrose plans to introduce MSC-certified frozen sardines as an eco-friendly alternative, there is currently no set timeframe for when they might resume sourcing mackerel. The company aims to maintain its relationships with existing suppliers despite this suspension.

This decision reflects a broader trend in retail towards more sustainable practices as customers become increasingly aware of the impact of overfishing on cod populations and seafood supply. As supermarkets like Waitrose lead the charge in sustainability efforts, other retailers may soon follow suit.

The post Waitrose mackerel sales stopped appeared first on NewsUK.