Northeast Atlantic Mackerel Stocks Downgraded as Overfishing Pushes Species to Brink

The Marine Conservation Society urges governments to align catch limits with scientific advice as mackerel populations near collapse.

The Marine Conservation Society has downgraded Northeast Atlantic mackerel caught by midwater trawlers to a sustainability rating of four, advising businesses not to source it.
Mackerel populations have plummeted from 7.3 million tonnes in 2015 to 2.8 million tonnes in 2024 due to chronic overfishing.
Catch limits set by nations such as the UK, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands have exceeded scientific recommendations by an average of 23% over the past four years.
The Marine Conservation Society recommends consumers opt for more sustainable alternatives like North Sea herring or Cornwall sardines.
Conservation groups call for immediate international collaboration to implement catch limits aligned with scientific advice to prevent further stock depletion.