A medium-sized schooling fish. Major commercial species.

Also called: Boston Mackerel, Common Mackerel

Native status: Native to North Atlantic

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 30–40 cm typical; maximum 60 cm
Weight0.3–1 kg; record 3.4 kg
LifespanWild 10–17 years
OrderScombriformes
FamilyScombridae

§ Encyclopedia

The Atlantic mackerel, also known as Boston mackerel, Norwegian mackerel, Scottish mackerel or just mackerel, is a species of mackerel found in the temperate waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the northern Atlantic Ocean, where it is extremely common and occurs in huge shoals in the epipelagic zone down to about 200 m (660 ft). It spends the warmer months close to shore and near the ocean surface, appearing along the coast in spring and departing with the arrival of colder weather in the fall and winter months. During the fall and winter, it migrates out into deeper and more southern water, seeking warmer temperatures.

Source: Wikipedia — Atlantic mackerel Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Streamlined torpedo-shaped fish with distinct dark wavy vertical bars on blue-green back; bright silver flanks; deeply forked tail; finlets between second dorsal/anal and tail.

Similar species. Chub Mackerel (smaller; different range). King Mackerel (much larger; no clear vertical bars). Spanish Mackerel (yellow spots; different pattern).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Small fish (sand lance, herring larvae, capelin), zooplankton (copepods), shrimp, squid.

Behavior. Highly migratory schooling fish of North Atlantic. Forms massive aggregations that historically supported one of the largest US ocean fisheries — Maine alone landed 60,000+ metric tons annually in the early 1900s. Major prey for tuna, sharks, marine mammals, and seabirds. Modern fishery substantially reduced through quota management, but stock decline continues — likely due to environmental shifts plus continued harvest pressure across the Atlantic.

§ Range

North Atlantic

§ Habitat

Open ocean

§ Threats

Overfishing.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the atlantic mackerel is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Buy MSC-certified mackerel.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries
  • ICES Mackerel Stock Assessment
  • Marine Stewardship Council
  • IUCN Red List 2018