Marine experts urge shift to herring and sardines as stocks decline

MACKEREL stocks in the north-east Atlantic are reaching a critical low due to continued overfishing, prompting a downgrade in sustainability ratings and a call for urgent action.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which publishes the annual Good Fish Guide, has now advised consumers and retailers to seek alternative species such as North Sea herring and Cornish sardines.

Once considered a plentiful and sustainable choice, north-east Atlantic mackerel has suffered from years of overfishing, with catch levels exceeding scientific advice by an average of 39% between 2020 and 2024. Some years have seen limits surpassed by up to 80%, largely due to activity by nations including the UK, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Alice Moore, manager of the Good Fish Guide, said: “It’s deeply concerning to see a fish that was once a sustainable staple now facing a steep decline. Unless nations urgently align their catch limits with scientific recommendations, we risk losing this important species from our seas.”

The Good Fish Guide uses a traffic-light system to rate fish and seafood according to sustainability. Green (ratings 1–2) marks the best choices, amber (3–4) signals concerns, and red (5) indicates species to avoid. The guide also provides tailored advice to businesses such as restaurants and supermarkets, encouraging them to stock only fish rated between 1 and 3.

In the latest update, north-east Atlantic mackerel caught using midwater trawl nets—common in supermarket and restaurant supply chains—has been downgraded from amber (3) to a 4, placing it in the “fish to avoid” category for retailers. Mackerel caught by hook and line has also seen a downgrade, from 2 to 3.

Conversely, some positive changes were reported. Monkfish from the North Sea has been upgraded from amber to green, signalling a more sustainable recovery. Blue marlin has been removed from the red list altogether.

Despite these gains, the warning over mackerel is stark. The MCS says the fish is “nearing a breaking point” and that international cooperation is now vital.

“We are witnessing a slow collapse of what was once a success story in sustainable fishing,” Moore said. “The UK must lead efforts to protect the long-term future of our marine ecosystems.”

THREE Carmarthenshire primary schools are taking part in a pilot to redesign primary school lunch menus in the county, using local produce to promote health, wellbeing, sustainability, social value and education.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Future Generations Menu pilot aims to align public sector catering with local and national policies, including environmental sustainability, rural economic growth, and net-zero targets.

The Council has commissioned the local non-profit organisation, Cegin y Bobl, to work with Ysgol Teilo Sant, Llandeilo Primary School and Ysgol Pen Rhos, in co-creating the new menus.

Catering staff, teachers, parents, and children are joining chefs and educators from Cegin y Bobl to develop nutritious meals that will be served in the schools’ canteens. The redesigned menus are being created to reflect the seasonality of Welsh produce, which helps increase local economic impact and reduce reliance on imported food.

As a result, fresh, seasonal produce from Bremenda Farm in Llanarthne will be grown specifically for schools across the academic calendar. This 100-acre farm, owned by the Local Authority, is being used as a trial location to grow high-quality, affordable fruit and vegetables for the public plate. This initiative supports local agriculture, reduces the environmental impact of food production and transportation, and introduces children to the benefits of eating fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

The redesigned menus will be introduced to the three participating schools in September 2025, with plans for a county-wide rollout in September 2026. A recipe file will also be made available as an open-source resource for other local authorities in Wales, helping other schools integrate sustainable food practices.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Rural Affairs, Planning and Community Cohesion, Cllr Carys Jones, said: By involving the entire school community, we’re creating a collaborative approach to better food choices. This initiative isn’t just about changing menus; it’s about helping young people understand where their food comes from, why it matters, and how it connects to a healthier future for both them and the planet.

This pilot has been funded by the Welsh Government through the Backing Local Firms and Innovation Funds and is part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s broader commitment to local and sustainable food.

For more information, visit the Future Generations Menu web page.

WITHYHEDGE landfill site near to Haverfordwest has re-opened and has welcomed members from local community councils, county councillors, MSs and MPs, and local organisations including Spittal School, Haverfordwest Airport, and Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services.

Withyhedge landfill site was closed temporarily between 15 May 2024 and 6 January 2025 to enable engineering, and infrastructure works to be completed to address odour issues.  Following a thorough investigation by the site owners and specialist geotechnical engineers, it became clear that the odour was due to the site receiving compliant waste that reacted uncharacteristically when placed in the cell. 

Site owners Resource Management UK Ltd (RML), in collaboration with landfill specialists and regulators, have implemented a series of comprehensive new measures to ensure there is no repeat of the odour event.

Currently the site is only accepting pre-qualifying materials from Dauson Environmental, but it is expected that the site will recommence the acceptance of third-party wastes later in the year should they meet the waste acceptance criteria.

RML Director David Neal said:  “Since the issues experienced last year, we have invested over £10 million at the site.

“This has included major improvements to the site gas management including the installation of an additional gas network, additional flares and enhanced monitoring and recording instrumentation.  In addition, we have reviewed and revised our waste acceptance and waste testing procedures to the satisfaction of the Regulator and to provide confidence and reassurance to the local communities that the chances of any reoccurrence of odour have been minimised as far as possible.

“In direct response to concerns raised by the local community, we have committed to funding an additional 12 months of static air quality monitoring at Spittal School. This monitoring, along with the air quality sensors around the perimeter of the Withyhedge site and those within the surrounding community, will enable RML and other stakeholders to effectively monitor and assess odours within the community.”

Mr Neal added “I would like to thank the local community for their understanding through this challenging time; we are a part of the community, and we want to continue to be a good neighbour.  We will continue with regular updates and more site visits later this year.”

Since the Withyhedge landfill site re-opened on 6 January 2025, NRW, has conducted several compliance visits and have undertaken inspections looking at incoming waste, on site processes and the effectiveness of the revised procedures implemented by RML.