Lidl has become the latest supermarket to change its mackerel sourcing policy following growing concern over the state of the north east Atlantic mackerel fishery.
The supermarket told The Grocer it was transitioning to Marine Stewardship Council-certified Chilean jack mackerel for its tinned SKUs, as well as reviewing its sourcing for smoked mackerel ahead of its next purchasing window.
The retailer said any products using north east Atlantic mackerel currently on shelf had been sourced during the current Fishery Improvement Project – due to close in October.
“Lidl GB is committed to sourcing fish and seafood from responsibly managed fisheries,” a Lidl GB spokesperson said. “We continue to work closely with our suppliers and industry partners to advocate for more responsible fisheries management in the north east Atlantic.”
The discounter would not comment on how the move would affect its contracts with businesses sourcing the fish.
North east Atlantic mackerel lost its MSC certification in 2019 and the fishery has continued to face challenges including the failure of coastal states including the UK to establish a Total Agreeable Catch limit.
“With north east Atlantic mackerel yet to regain its MSC certification, retailers are increasingly looking at sustainable alternatives,” said MSC UK & Ireland commercial manager Seth McCurry. “It is critical that we see real progress for Atlantic mackerel soon and our hope is that there will to be even more choice for consumers when they’re out shopping for their seafood with the blue MSC eco-label as a result.”
All Atlantic mackerel sold in the UK has been classified as “fish to avoid” by the Marine Conservation Society, but Chilean jack mackerel stocks are “abundant and harvested sustainably” with the fishery showing “effective monitoring and good compliance”.
North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group executive chair Aoife Martin said the fishery situation was “entirely avoidable”.
She added that supermarket decisions to move away from stocks would send a “strong signal to politicians: the status quo cannot continue”.
She called on coastal states to address the current management failures and provide the long-term certainty that the industry needs.
“Well-managed, healthy fisheries are fundamental to a sustainable and responsible seafood sector,” she said. “Without decisive action from coastal states, however, the market cannot have confidence in the long-term future of north east Atlantic fisheries.”
However, Scottish Pelagic Sustainability Group chair Ian Gatt said he was “disappointed” with Lidl’s decision. He suggested it was premature given new scientific advice was due to be released and the next round of quota negotiations will start in autumn.
“Through no fault of our own, we have been caught up in this mackerel quota share dispute between national governments, and as such, we feel we deserve the support of UK retailers to recognise this,” he said.
Gatt raised questions over the sustainability of Chilean jack mackerel, saying it was currently dealing with the effects of “Super El Niño” and would have a higher carbon footprint than north east Atlantic mackerel. Moreover, with Chilean jack mackerel “not a true mackerel in the taxonomic sense” he raised concerns over labelling.
He added that Lidl’s sourcing was inconsistent as it has continued to source Moroccan sardines from the east central Atlantic, despite uncertainty over stock distribution and sustainability.
“If retailers decide not to stock north east Atlantic mackerel, they are unfairly punishing the UK industry and instead supporting fisheries on the other side of the world, despite our work in being at the forefront of conservation and sustainability,” he added.
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