RURAL AFFAIRS SECRETARY CHALLENGES WAITROSE ON SCOTTISH MACKEREL DECISION

Rural Affairs Secretary Challenges Waitrose on Scottish Mackerel Decision

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has written to Waitrose following their decision to discontinue selling mackerel.

The letter reads:

Thank you for informing us of the decision you have taken regarding next steps for sourcing mackerel.

However, we are extremely disappointed that you feel the need to suspend sourcing of Scottish mackerel, especially with the significant steps taken by the UK to improve the sustainable management of this stock.

Officials have engaged with retailers and the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group on the management of this important stock, and will continue to do so.

I am also ready to meet with you, together with the fishing sector, if you wish to have a discussion on this matter.

The mackerel fishery in Scottish waters is highly regulated and monitored.

If you are no longer sourcing mackerel from Scotland, I would be interested to know where you are sourcing alternatives from, and what standards are applied to those fisheries compared to those in Scottish waters.

On 15 December, the UK, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Norway agreed an enhanced sharing arrangement for mackerel. This arrangement provides a significant package of measures which aim to better manage the stock.

It delivers a considerable reduction in fishing pressure, limiting fishing by Coastal States to around 107.5% of the total allowable catch, versus 127% before there were any arrangements in place.

Parties to the arrangement have also agreed to set total allowable catches for 2026 in line with an advised MSY catch scenario of 299,010 tonnes. This is a decrease of -48% compared to 2025.

This outcome balances ecological recovery with socio-economic realities. Mackerel is extremely important to Scotland’s fishing industry, supporting jobs both on and offshore, and local communities.

The total allowable catch agreed by the four parties is grounded in ICES scientific advice and follows an MSY scenario, which is a legitimate option within the ICES advice sheet.

It still significantly reduces fishing pressure, and is projected to increase spawning stock biomass by around 8.5%. This is only marginally different from the headline advice option (11.4%), but secures a cooperative agreement that strengthens long-term sustainability.

A six-party comprehensive  arrangement, with the EU and Greenland included, remains our ultimate goal. All parties have committed to work in good faith to secure a full six-party agreement, and the current arrangement leaves the door open for that.

My officials will continue to put their full energy into finding solutions and compromises going forward to ensure long-term sustainable management of this key stock.

Finally, I can only outline again that our fisheries operate to the highest standards, which are subject to strict regulation, they support a wider supply chain and are vital to our economy. I therefore urge both you and the wider business to reconsider this decision.

Mairi Gougeon

Main Image Seafish