What Happens When a Fish Is No Longer Sustainable? Mackerel Update

What Happens When a Fish Is No Longer Sustainable? Mackerel Update

At Eversfield Organic, we're committed to sourcing food responsibly—not just from the land, but from our seas too. That's why we'd like to let you know that, for the time being, our fresh and smoked mackerel will no longer be available.

Flat Iron Steak Sandwich with Herby Dressing & Gouda Reading What Happens When a Fish Is No Longer Sustainable? Mackerel Update 3 minutes

At Eversfield Organic, we're committed to sourcing food responsibly—not just from the land, but from our seas too.

That's why we'd like to let you know that, for the time being, our fresh and smoked mackerel will no longer be available.

We know this will come as disappointing news to many of our customers. Mackerel has long been a favourite thanks to its rich flavour, versatility and excellent nutritional benefits. However, sustainability has always been one of our guiding principles, and unfortunately the current outlook for North East Atlantic mackerel means we can no longer source it responsibly.

Why Has This Happened?

The simple answer is overfishing.

Each year, marine scientists assess fish populations and recommend sustainable catch limits that allow species to replenish naturally. Unfortunately, in recent years, several fishing nations have continued to catch mackerel at levels significantly above this scientific advice.

When too many fish are removed from the sea, breeding populations begin to decline, placing increasing pressure on the long-term health of the stock and the wider marine environment.

What Does 'Unsustainable' Mean?

When a species is described as no longer sustainable to source, it means current fishing practices are not considered capable of maintaining healthy fish populations for future generations.

For us, responsible sourcing means looking beyond what's available today and considering the long-term future of our food. If a species is under significant pressure, we believe the right decision is not to continue selling it until stocks are being managed sustainably once again.

Will Mackerel Return?

We certainly hope so.

The encouraging news is that fish stocks can recover when given the opportunity. If catches are reduced and brought back in line with the scientific evidence, mackerel populations have every chance of rebuilding over time.

It's a reminder that sustainable fisheries management really does make a difference—not just for today's consumers, but for generations to come.

Looking Ahead

We understand many of our customers regularly enjoy our fresh and smoked mackerel, and we're sorry for any disappointment this may cause.

While it's never easy to remove a popular product, we believe making responsible sourcing decisions is part of our commitment to providing food you can trust.

In the meantime, we're working hard behind the scenes to continue expanding and improving our fish range, sourcing exceptional products that meet the same high standards of quality and sustainability you've come to expect from Eversfield Organic.

Thank you for supporting a food system that puts the future of our environment alongside the quality of what's on your plate.

SHOP ALL SUSTAINABLE FISH

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