People have been warned against eating one fish due to “deeply concerning” overfishing. Conservationists have lowered its sustainability rating in an effort to stem overconsumption, as numbers are “nearing a breaking point”.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) recommended businesses do not source mackerel caught by midwater trawl in the Northeast Atlantic – which makes up most of what supermarkets and restaurants sell – downgrading it from a three to a four in its Good Fish Guide. The charity’s guide uses a one-to-five scale for businesses and a traffic light system for consumers. “It’s deeply concerning to see a source of seafood that was once a sustainable choice in such decline,” said Alice Moore, Good Fish Guide manager at the MCS.
Moore added: “Mackerel is under immense pressure from fishing activities across multiple nations, and the stock will soon be no longer able to sustain itself.
“We’re witnessing a steady decline in numbers, and they are nearing a breaking point. Immediate action must be taken by the UK Government to work with other nations to align catch limits with scientific advice.”
Mackerel caught in the Northeast Atlantic by hook and line was moved down from a two to a three, and the society took it off the “best choice” list for consumers two years ago, downgrading it from green to amber rating.
The catch limits set by countries have consistently exceeded scientifically recommended levels by between 5 percent and 80 percent since 2009, according to MCS.
It added that in the past four years, the total allowable catches were on average 39 percent higher than the scientific advice.
Although the amount of mackerel caught has typically fallen below the catch limits, they have still exceeded recommended levels by an average of 23 percent, or 188,410 tonnes, the charity said.
The conservationists called for countries, including the UK, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, to work together to develop a strategy that leads to the recovery of the mackerel stock.
An Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson said: “Sustainability is at the heart of our approach to supporting the UK fishing industry and to our international negotiations.
“We have already taken action with Norway and the Faroe Islands to reduce fishing pressure on the North East Atlantic mackerel stock.
“We continue to work closely with the other coastal states, including the EU, to reach an arrangement that will ensure the most productive and sustainable management of the stock possible.”
