Sustainability · Updated 29 September 2026 · 4 min
Why is mackerel rated red? An honest explanation
Good Fish changed its advice for North-East Atlantic mackerel in April 2025. Origin and fishing method matter when checking a specific product.
By Schaap’s Vishandel · fishmonger since 1938
A sustainability rating is not a food-safety judgement. Ask us about the origin and fishing method of the mackerel offered.
What is the concern?
Good Fish’s April 2025 warning concerns overfishing and insufficient international catch agreements.
Check the current VISwijzer entry for the relevant fishery rather than assuming all mackerel has the same rating.
What does that mean at our counter?
We offer mackerel, but do not present it as automatically sustainable.
Ask about certification and alternatives. A product name alone does not establish its environmental rating.
Making your choice
Use the current fish guide and discuss options with us. Choose a verifiable certification or origin rather than relying on a general claim.
Read more and try a recipe