Fishy Switch: Supermarkets Replace Mackerel With Cheaper Fish

Many tinned mackerel products sold in British supermarkets now feature Chilean jack mackerel instead of true mackerel. This change is driven by sustainability concerns and a protracted 'mackerel war' over fishing quotas, which has led to a significant decline in true mackerel stocks.

The catch limits for North-East Atlantic mackerel have been consistently exceeded, resulting in the fishery losing its sustainability certification. Consequently, retailers are turning to certified Chilean jack mackerel, which, while similar in name, has a lower nutritional profile, containing roughly half the omega-3 and fewer calories compared to true mackerel. Consumers have also reported differences in taste and texture, with some finding the substitute fish metallic and less oily.

The dispute over mackerel quotas involves the UK, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, the Faroe Islands, the EU, and Russia. Scientists have advised substantial reductions in catches, but some nations have agreed to limits significantly above these recommendations, further jeopardizing the stock. This international governance failure means consumers are increasingly eating imported fish of lesser quality instead of locally sourced options, with some retailers selling the substitute at similar prices to the original product.