![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-retail-shop-of-waitrose-in-london-6899433.jpg\" "\\"The")
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Waitrose is pulling a popular fish from all UK stores in April (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
Supermarket giant Waitrose<\/a> pulled one popular fish from all of its UK stores starting on Wednesday, following concerns for the future of the fishing industry.<\/p>\n The supermarket<\/a> will no longer sell mackerel and was due to remove the fish from its shelves from April 29 following concerns about overfishing.<\/p>\n The retailer says it is the first UK supermarket to suspend sales of mackerel, which it gets from Scottish waters, with sourcing of fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel ended by April 29 and tinned mackerel following once the current stock has sold out.<\/p>\n The change comes in the wake of failures by Governments to cut mackerel catches to levels recommended by scientists to ensure sustainable fishing<\/a> and stop mackerel stocks collapsing.<\/p>\n RSPB issues warning to anyone feeding garden birds<\/a><\/p>\n Gardeners urged to scatter chilli powder in May<\/a><\/p>\n Read more: UK WH Smith replacement \u2018set to close 100 high street stores\u2019 <\/a><\/p>\n Read more: RSPB ‘bans’ UK households from leaving seed out for birds after May 1 rule <\/a><\/p>\n All forms of mackerel are being removed from Waitrose shelves (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n Conservationists welcomed Waitrose\u2019s<\/a> move to take mackerel off its shelves, and urged other supermarkets<\/a> to follow suit.<\/p>\n It comes as the Marine Conservation Charity issued a warning about cod levels in April<\/a> urging shoppers to stop buying cod due to concerns for the future of cod populations.<\/p>\n Overfishing has resulted in depleting mackerel stocks in the North-east Atlantic, with Ices saying the species, and the wider fishing industry, could face long-term risks unless countries stick to recommended catch limits<\/p>\n Waitrose said that the decision in December by four coastal states to cut mackerel catches by 48% was a step forward but still did not meet recommendations.<\/p>\n North-east Atlantic mackerel will no longer meet the supermarket\u2019s responsible sourcing requirements in line with the Sustainable Seafood Coalition codes of conduct, the retailer said.<\/p>\n Jake Pickering, head of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries at Waitrose, said: \u201cBy 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.<\/p>\n \u201cOur customers trust us to source responsibly, and we are closely monitoring the fishery.<\/p>\n \u201cWe look forward to bringing mackerel back to our shelves once it meets our high sourcing standards.\u201d<\/p>\n As alternatives, Waitrose is launching a new range of fish products, including hot smoked herring, hot smoked peppered herring and hot smoked sweetcure seabass, all of which are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified.<\/p>\n The retailer said it would also introduce MSC-certified frozen sardines from May as a sustainable replacement for frozen mackerel, and plans to become the first retailer to sell 100% MSC tinned sardines.<\/p>\n![\"Fresh](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fresh-mackerel-on-the-market-6899435.jpg\" "\\"Fresh")
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