Mackerel in crisis as retailers pull back after over-fishing concerns - Nigel Duncan
In a corner of the breakwater in Cockenzie last summer there sat a smelly black bag. Closer inspection uncovered dead mackerel, discarded by an angler.
The smell was off-putting, and one could not help feeling anger at the perpetrator. People in the world are starving, yet some still waste good food. It was disappointing to say the least; mackerel are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, making them excellent for heart health.
They are highly-nutritious, oily fish known for their firm texture and rich flavour, and mackerel are also excellent bait for anglers.
Did this person realise that supplies of the valuable fish are dwindling fast? Supermarket Waitrose have suspended sales of mackerel products due to over-fishing concerns. They will stop sourcing fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by the end of April, as well as tinned mackerel once current stocks are gone. The chain will only start selling the fish again once it met their 'high sourcing standards.’
Reports by the BBC say marine groups have recommended a cut in the amount of North East Atlantic mackerel being caught. A report on their website indicated that The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which provides scientific advice on sustainable fishing, said recently that mackerel has been over-fished due to lack of international quota arrangements. As a result, there is not a high enough rate of breeding to replace the volume caught.
Figures show that more mackerel is caught in British waters than any other fish, with 230,000 tones landed in 2024.
Waitrose, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, apparently source all their mackerel from waters off Scotland, and Jake Pickering, head of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries for the supermarket, said that by suspending sourcing they are reinforcing their ethical and sustainable business commitments, acting to tackle over-fishing and watching over the long-term health of oceans plus protecting what he called a ‘crucial’ fish.
Sadly, it is unlikely that the angler who dumped the bag of good fish and walked away leaving them to rot – and be prey for rats – will shop at Waitrose or read this, but others will and, hopefully, the message will get through.
It has been noted locally that some people are taking undersized fish home, so it is also important to throw undersized fish back to allow them to develop.
Meanwhile, the annual meeting of the Bass Rock Shore Angling League will be held in the Golfer’s Rest, North Berwick, on Wednesday, March 18 at 7pm.
Secretary James Ogilvie is hoping for a good attendance so they can plan dates for the summer and winter league. Tides have also to be considered.
His son Craig won the winter league with 68 points, leaving the rest in his slipstream. Second to the North Berwick-based, self-employed joiner was Graham Meadows (St Boswells) on 38 points. Third was Musselburgh angler Jimmy Green on 37 points, with teenager Nico Millar (North Berwick) fourth on 32 and James Ogilvie (Haddington) fifth with 31 points..
On to fly fishing and the Linlithgow Loch Spring Competition is scheduled for Sunday, May 10, hosted by The Forth Area Federation of Anglers (FAFA). Entry is £30 and the winner takes home £100, runner-up £75 and third £50, with the heaviest fish rewarded with £25.
The event runs from 9am to 4pm, and anybody interested should contact linlthgowlodgeathotmail.com. A deposit of £10 is required when booking.
Tom Lambert, the Federation secretary, said they had a great opening day on March 1, with 29 anglers out in boats and 68 fish returned.
The best catches were by Ally Kale and three friends who kept 17 fish for nearly 60lbs. They also returned four trout. Alan Harvie and his boat partner returned 15 fish, and Steve Burk, fishing solo, returned 15 rainbow trout. Jimmy Russell and his son returned eight fish.
New Gencorse owner Kenny Knox says he has no option but to increase prices for the new season after having talks with his fish farm provider. He said that the increase was not what he wanted to do, but added that it was not sustainable to stay at the price charged last season.
A full day of eight hours for two anglers with an eight fish boat limit is now £68; eight hours, one angler with a four fish limit is £35; a half-day with two anglers and a four fish limit is £48; and four hours for one angler and a two fish limit is £32.
For the full price list, take a look at the new social media and website.
The official opening day on the Lake of Menteth s confirmed as Saturday, March 14.