Tins of mackerel sold across major UK supermarkets no longer contain any mackerel, having been quietly replaced with Chilean jack mackerel amid severe overfishing concerns, according to industry reports and retail disclosures. Major grocers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, and Waitrose have faced supply chain shifts as stocks of the North Atlantic species dwindle following years of geopolitical disputes and over-quota fishing.
Why Supermarkets Swapped Atlantic Mackerel for Chilean Jack Mackerel
Atlantic mackerel stocks have fallen by three-quarters over the past decade, according to data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (Ices). Researchers warn that climate warming has pushed the fish northward, necessitating a reduction of more than 70 per cent in north-east Atlantic fishing to help prevent the collapse of fish stocks. Conservationists point out that inadequate enforcement across the region has been exacerbated by mackerel quotas exceeding scientific recommendations by an average of 39 per cent since 2010.
In response to these supply pressures, supplier Princes has switched to Chilean jack mackerel. Found in South American waters and belonging to a fish family known as Carangidae, the substitute species costs roughly one-third of the wholesale price of Atlantic mackerel. Despite this steep price difference in wholesale markets, several supermarkets are selling tins for a similar price.
Nutritional Differences and Consumer Complaints
The recipe change has sparked criticism from consumer advocates and former industry leaders over nutritional downgrades and labeling transparency. Compared to true mackerel, product data indicates that jack mackerel contains roughly half the amount of omega-3 and provides 100 fewer calories per 100g. Shoppers have also complained of bigger bones and a metallic smell.
“It is a great pity that we will eat imported fish from a long way away instead of locally caught fish,” Stewart Harper, former managing director of North Atlantic Fishing Company, told the Financial Times. “The consumers will be suffering because pure mackerel is a much better species to eat than jack mackerel.”
Did you know? While some retailers such as Lidl are selling jack mackerel products under signs signposted “mackerel,” consumer groups argue that shoppers deserve clear notice when everyday staples are reformulated to cut costs.
Sue Davies, Which? Head of Food Policy, noted the broader frustration surrounding the practice. “It’s a real concern when manufacturers quietly downgrade everyday staples like these as shoppers can end up paying the same price for a product that delivers significantly less nutritional value,” Davies said. Davies noted that while producers grapple with sustainability hurdles and legitimate supply chain difficulties, altering a recipe imposes an obligation on them to be completely transparent with buyers.
Supermarket Responses and Sourcing Policies
Retailers have responded defensively to mounting questions over their canned fish aisles. Lidl GB stated that it was “committed to sourcing fish and seafood from responsibly managed fisheries”. The firm further stated that they will assess whether north-east Atlantic mackerel remains aligned with scientific guidance and their purchasing standards prior to the upcoming smoked mackerel ordering period, while Waitrose highlighted its April decision to phase out canned goods amid overfishing worries as remaining supplies are exhausted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chilean jack mackerel the same fish as true Atlantic mackerel?
No. According to fisheries experts, Atlantic mackerel belongs to a different species of fish to the Chilean jack mackerel, which is also called the Peruvian jack mackerel, and belongs to a fish family known as Carangidae, and is found in the waters of South America.
Does jack mackerel have the same nutritional value?
No. Information indicates that true mackerel contains approximately double the omega-3 content and 100 more calories per 100g than the jack mackerel alternative.
Why are supermarkets changing the fish in their tins?
According to scientific assessments from Ices, mackerel stocks have fallen by three-quarters in the past decade due to overfishing and climate migration, prompting suppliers to seek alternative species.
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