Over the past few months, our fishers have had a much harder time finding jack mackerel. Not because the population has declined, but because the fish are behaving differently than usual. As a result, our smoked jack mackerel may be temporarily unavailable in stores. Here's why.

El Niño: what's happening?

Due to the climate phenomenon El Niño, the sea off the coast of Chile is currently 4 to 5°C warmer than usual. That may not sound like much, but for jack mackerel it makes a world of difference. The fish have moved into deeper waters or further offshore, beyond the reach of the six fishing vessels we work with. It's an unusual situation. According to our partner Orizon, the fishery we work with in Chile, they haven't experienced anything like this in more than twenty years. While jack mackerel is normally available from October well into the summer, catches have been much lower since spring.

There are still smaller jack mackerel swimming closer to the surface. But we deliberately leave them alone. Our fishery is MSC certified and operates under strict rules designed to keep the stock healthy. Young fish are given the chance to grow and reproduce before they are caught. By following these rules, our fishers help ensure the population remains healthy, so jack mackerel will continue to be available for future generations.

The jack mackerel population is healthy

The good news is that these changes do not mean the jack mackerel population is in decline. The fish are simply swimming in different places than usual, outside the normal fishing grounds. Together with scientists, our fishers are monitoring the situation closely. As soon as the jack mackerel returns to its usual fishing grounds, fishing can resume.

When will smoked jack mackerel be back in stores?

Unfortunately, we can't say for certain just yet. As soon as the fish return to the usual fishing grounds and are once again within reach of our fishers, catches can resume. Until then, our partner Orizon and the scientists they work with will continue to monitor the situation closely. We hope you won't have to wait too long, but the long-term health of the fish population will always come first.

Jack mackerel: a sustainable fish with a great story

This situation doesn't change why we chose Chilean jack mackerel in the first place. It's an exceptional fish, with a rich, meaty texture, a distinctive flavour and a healthy, well-managed stock. That's exactly why more and more retailers and consumers are switching from overfished Atlantic mackerel to Chilean jack mackerel. The timing of El Niño couldn't be worse. But it also perfectly illustrates what sustainable fishing is all about: fishing from healthy stocks, following strict regulations and respecting what the ocean can sustainably provide at any given moment. It means making responsible decisions about how, where and when to fish. And sometimes, it also means accepting that less is available for a while. That's exactly why we're so proud of the fishers we work with. They always put the health of the fish stock first. Because that's the only way we can continue to enjoy the tastiest fish—today and for future generations.

Want to learn more about this fishery in Chile? Watch the video [here](Want to learn more about this fishery in Chile? Watch the video here.