The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has removed mackerel from its ‘Fish to Eat’ list following worries that the stock is being overfished.
After years of being a popular sustainable choice, MCS has now rated the oily fish, which is packed with Omega 3, as a fish to eat only occasionally and has suggested herring and sardine as good alternatives – both of which are on the society’s Fish to Eat list.
MCS says that overfishing of the stock and the subsequent suspension of the north east Atlantic stock’s Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, has resulted in this decision.
Bernadette Clarke, fisheries officer, MCS, said: “The stock has moved into Icelandic and Faroese waters, probably following their prey of small fish, crustaceans and squid. As a result both countries have begun to fish more mackerel than was previously agreed. The total catch is now far in excess of what has been scientifically recommended and previously agreed upon by all participating countries. Negotiations to introduce new catch allowances have so far failed to reach agreement.”
Not everyone is of the same mind though. Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association, believes that the MCS has reacted too quickly: “We believe the Marine Conservation Society have not taken into account the current science and projects that are about to be undertaken to shed further information on the stock status of mackerel."
He added: “Mackerel is still being sustainably caught and it is important that the consumer is made aware of this. The north-east Atlantic stock is in robust health and the sustainable fishing practices of our fleets have actually led to an increase in abundance in the stock in recent years. However, the over-fishing of the stock by Iceland and the Faroes is leading to some uncertainty over the future, and this is why it is essential that these countries come back to the negotiating table and agree a sensible deal."
The MCS only recently moved gurnard off its Fish to Eat list and on to its cautionary list due to a lack of data on stock levels and scientific advice to reduce catches.
